For something that is as an integral part of our culture and lexicon as the hamburger, the history is quite murky. Significant numbers of people however, argue over the true inventor of that most favorite of fast foods.

Ground beef as an ingredient of casseroles and other meals, was brought to America by German immigrants in the 1800s. How far behind could the actual shaping of a hamburger patty be? As it turns out, not far.

Among the contestants for bragging rights to the first hamburger, are Louis Lassen, a lunch counter owner from New Haven, Connecticut. In 1900, he apparently took a hamburger patty and stuffed it between two slices of bread for a customer that wanted his food, and fast. Four years later, at the 1904 World's Fair, the partnership of Fletcher Davis and Frank Menches, produced the hamburger on its own bread, and relatives claim to this day, it was the first official appearance of the delicacy.

But the town of Seymour, Wisconsin will have none of that. They claim the hamburger was invented by native Charles Nagreen, a fairground vendor who sold meatballs. In 1885, he was inspired to provide food on the go for families visiting the different attractions. Thus he flattened the meatballs, and put them between slices of bread.

So strongly does the town feel about this bit of history, that they celebrate it every year with a Burger Fest. At the 2001 event, a community effort produced the biggest hamburger ever, weighing 8,266 pounds.