Decades of discovery
Ohio State researchers have patented hundreds of ideas and helped make many important discoveries.
This list includes some of the highlights
Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Click here to see the OSU Mapping & GIS Lab's contribution

1890:
Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station scientists test and release to farmers a number of wheat varieties that surpass past yields.

1915:
An OSU researcher invents a process that allows chocolate to stick to ice cream, leading to the Eskimo Pie.

1920:
The first radio license is issued to Ohio State. In 1922, the first radio station in Columbus was the school’s WEAO.

1921:
First aerial pesticide is conducted by Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center scientists.

1929:
OSU researcher discovers that it is possible to maintain egg production by keeping laying hens in wire cages.

1930:
Researchers perfect vitamin D supplements for milk.

1940:
First electron microscope built in United States is constructed by an OSU researcher.

1942:
An airplane-recognition method developed at Ohio State allows enemy aircraft to be identified in a split second. This leads to the university opening a training school, which, by 1943, was graduating 170 students per month.

1957:
OSU is credited with creating the "Code Blue" system used in hospitals worldwide.

1957:
Researchers enhance the flavor of processed cheese and shorten the process from six months to seven days.

1960:
The slow-moving vehicle sign is created at Ohio State.

1960:
Researchers help determine which grape varieties grow best in Ohio, helping the state become one of the top 10 wineproducing states.

1963:
The maize mosaic virus causes a devastating corn disease. Research at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center led to the development of resistant corn hybrids and the discovery of other important corn viruses.

1970:
Agriculture researchers inject hormones into cows so they can give milk without motherhood.

1971:
OSU research into round hay bales leads to worldwide use of the method.

1974:
An OSU researcher develops a number of vector-drawing commands to organize collections of them into a hierarchy. The method is used in animation sequences in Star Wars.

1981:
Feline leukemia vaccine is developed by veterinarian at Ohio State.

1994:
Researchers develop the first tofu soybean to come out of Ohio.

2005:
Navigation software created at Ohio State will go with the next NASA rover to Mars.

2006:
Researchers develop a component of tests that screen for heartworms and three other tick-borne diseases. Source: Ohio State University


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