Soviet leader Nikita Khrushcev visited the Iowa corn farm to verify impressive corn hybrid stories
On Sept. 23, 1959, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushcev visited the Iowa corn farm of seedman Roswell Garst to…
Arnel Hallauer became director of ISU’s maize breeding program
In 1959, Arnel Hallauer became director of Iowa State University’s (ISU) maize breeding program. Hallauer was part of…
Food Additives Amendments were passed
On Sept. 6, 1958, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Additives Amendments were passed, requiring that…
The National Seed Storage Laboratory opens in Fort Collins, Colorado
In 1958, the National Seed Storage Laboratory (NSSL), the first long-term seed storage facility in the world, opened…
As a result of plant breeding efforts begun in 1943, Mexico becomes self-sufficient in wheat for the first time
In 1957, the Mexican Agriculture Program (MAP) was the The Rockefeller Foundationﾒs first intensive agricultural endeavor begun in…
The FAO published first Plant Introduction Newsletter, a periodical of germplasm
In 1957, the FAO published its first Plant Introduction Newsletter, a periodical summary of who has what germplasm…
Agriculture | Biology | Environmental | EPA | Forestry | Life Science History | USDA
USDA Forest Service Spayed DDT to Control spruce budworm in Oregon Forest
In Jul. 1955, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) sprayed DDT as…
University of Alberta chemist Ray Lemieux announced the first synthesis of sucrose
In 1953, University of Alberta chemist Ray Lemieux, along with George Huber, announced the synthesis of sucrose for…
Agriculture | Biology | Disease | Life Science History | Medicine | Non-Profit Research | Therapeutics | Veterinary
Betty Delores Stough became the first woman to earn a PhD at the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (parasitology)
In 1953, Betty Delores Stough became the first woman to earn a Ph.D. at the Virginia Agricultural and…
National Research Council established library on University of Saskatchewan focused on chemistry and biology to diversify Canadian agriculture
In 1948, the National Research Council established a library on the University of Saskatchewan campus to use chemistry…
Geneticist Barbara McClintock issued report on transposable elements
In 1947, Little-known geneticist Barbara McClintock issued her first report on transposable elements – known today as jumping…
FAO became clearinghouse to facilitate free exchange of germplasm throughout the world
In 1947, an FAO subcommittee recommends that the FAO become a clearinghouse for information and that it facilitate…
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt wrote Vannevar Bush setting in motion the National Science Foundation
On Nov. 17, 1944, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt wrote a letter to to Vannevar Bush, head of the…
The Midwest Research Institute was incorporated
On Jun. 17, 1944, the Midwest Research Institute, now known as MRI Global, was incorporated. Today, MRIGlobal is…
Agriculture | Biology | Life Science History | Medicine | Nanotechnology | Non-Profit Research | Therapeutics | Veterinary
The Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College’s first PhD was awarded
In 1942, the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College’s first Ph.D. was awarded to Nathan Sugarman in chemistry. In…
CD Land & BW Hammer introduced a commercial process to make Maytag blue cheese dressing
On Oct. 11, 1941, the first wheels of Maytag Blue Cheese were formed when production of the cheese…
Nikolai Vavilov, perhaps the leading plant geneticist in the world, was arrested in the Ukraine
In 1940, Nikolai Vavilov, perhaps the leading plant geneticist in the world, was arrested while on a collecting…
Agriculture | Biology | Diagnostics | Infectious Disease | Life Science History | NIH | Therapeutics | Vaccine
Herald R. Cox discovered that rickettsiae could be cultivated successfully in the yolk-sacs of chick embryos
On Dec. 23, 1938, Herald R. Cox published: Use of Yolk Sac of Developing Chick Embryo as Medium…
The bacterium Bacillus Popilliae became the first microbial product registered by the U.S. government
In 1938, the bacterium Bacillus Popilliae (Bp) becomes the first microbial product registered by the U.S. government. It…
A smallscale test of formulated Bacillus thuringiensis for corn borer control began in Europe
In 1938, a small scale test of formulated Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for corn borer control begins in Europe….
Agriculture | Biology | Life Science History | Medical Device | Medicine | Non-Profit Research | Pharmaceutical | Veterinary
Iowa State University Research Foundation was established
In 1938, the Iowa State University Research Foundation (ISURF) was established to manage the collection of intellectual property…
Hoegemeyer Hybrids was founded
In 1937, Hoegemeyer Hybrids was founded by H. Chris Hoegemeyer and his son, Leonard when the science of…
Tyson Foods was founded
In 1935, Tyson Feed and Hatchery was incorporated and the company at that time provided three services: sale…
Agriculture | Biotechnology | Diagnostics | Infectious Disease | Life Science History | USDA | Veterinary
New World screwworm migrated to Southeast U.S.
In 1933, the New World Screwworm (NWS) was first documented as a significant problem in the Southeast following…
The Statistical Laboratory at Iowa State University was established
In 1933, the Statistical Laboratory at Iowa State was established as the first research and consulting institute of…
The name of the Food, Drug, and Insecticide Administration was shortened to Food and Drug Administration
In 1930, the name of the Food, Drug, and Insecticide Administration was shortened to Food and Drug Administration…
U.S. Congress passed the Plant Patent Act
In 1930, the U.S. Congress passed the Plant Patent Act, recognizing for the first time that plant breeders’…
Garst & Thomas Hybrid Corn Company was founded in Iowa
In 1930, Garst & Thomas Hybrid Corn Company was founded in Coon Rapids, Iowa, and from 1930-1945, U.S….
The Beaumont Tower was completed
In 1929, the John W. Beaumont Memorial Tower on the Michigan State University (MSU) campus was completed. The…
Embryo rescue was first used to obtain hybrids from wide crosses in crop plants known today as hybridization
In 1928, Embryo rescue (ER) was first used to obtain hybrids from wide crosses in crop plants known…