People often make jokes about New Jersey, but that's because they don't really know the state (or in some cases, because they really do).

In any case, here are a few little-known facts about NJ.

Fact: The first submarine was built in 1878 by John Holland of Passaic County. The vessel is now in the Public Museum at Paterson. (Now does the name of the tunnel make sense?)

Fact: The first solid body electric guitar was invented by Les Paul of Mahwah in 1940.

Fact: The first steam locomotive that actually pulled a train on a track, was built by John Stevens of Hoboken in 1824.

Source: Famous Firsts - State of NJ website.