Derby was first settled as a roman camp, and called Derventio. It was taken over by just about every invading force after that, with the name changing each time. Derby means 'village of the deer' but later variations relate to a 'valley thick with oaks'.
The first civic system of piped water in England was established in Derby in 1692.
Derby was the only Town to become a City as a celebration of the Queens Silver Jubilee in 1977.
Lara Croft was created in Derby.
Henry Royce was born there, as was Florence Nightingale.
Derby is the site of the world's first factory.
Harry M Stevens was born in Derby. He created the hot dog, and drinking through a straw.
Royal Crown Derby was the earliest manufacturer of English bone china.
Derby Arboretum was England's first public park, and the inspiration for Central Park in New York.
Derby is home to England's largest inland marina.
Derby Cathedral has one of the highest towers in England, and the bells are among the oldest in the world.
Bold Lane ca park in Derby is the most secure car park in the world.
The UCI in Derby created the world's biggest bowl of popcorn.
Herbert Spencer derived the term 'survival of the fittest'.
The Thunderdome was the first purpose built basketball arena in the UK.
Shrovetide football was played at Derby every year, possibly from as early as the 12th century. The town was split into the St Peter's and All Saints parishes, who fought to bring the ball from the Market Place to a goal within their own parishes. There were several attempts to ban the game, described in 1846 as "the barbarous and disgusting play of Foot-Ball, which for a great number of years has annually disgraced our town". In that year the military were brought in and after the police cut the first ball to pieces, another ball was produced and the town's Mayor was "stuck on the shoulder by a brick-bat, hurled by some ferocious ruffian, and severely bruised". The Derby Football was banned in 1846, although it was played once more in 1870.
