Burger King introduced the Whopper in 1957.
The sandwich was created by Burger King co-founder James McLamore as a larger hamburger intended to stand out from competing fast-food products. Its name suggested something unusually large or important, helping establish the burger as the chain's signature item.
The original Whopper was built around a flame-grilled beef patty and was sold with toppings such as tomatoes, lettuce, mayonnaise, pickles, and onions. Exact preparation and promotional versions have changed over time.
The Whopper is often confused with Burger King's founding date or the date of the chain's first restaurant. Burger King began in 1954, while the Whopper arrived three years later. It became one of the best-known named hamburgers in fast-food history.