George Washington Carver

We all know about the Land Grant University system (enabled by the forward thinking Senator Morrill of New York in 1862) that provided Federal funding to the states to allow for agricultural research. It turns out that there were three rounds of Federal funding. The first, in 1862, was to all states. The second, in 189?, was to provide an opportunity for former African-American slaves to gain higher-education. The third, in 1994, was for Native Americans. Check out the map:

In the second round of grants, it's clear that the vast majority of these universities are in the southeastern US. One of these is the famous Tuskegee Institute (later of the famous Tuskegee Airmen and the infamous Tuskegee public health scandal), championed by Booker T. Washington. One particularly interesting professor and researcher there was George Washington Carver. He spent his time investigating new ways to use agricultural production, so as to help farmers increase profitability. What is interesting (FINALLY we get to the point, right?) is the list of inventions ascribed to him and his research. (NB: he didn't necessarily invent each of these for the first time, but found a way to make them with current agricultural products in the South.)

Attributed to Carver

Adhesives

Axle Grease

Bleach

Buttermilk,

Cheese

Chili Sauce

Cream

Creosote

Dyes

Flour

Fuel Briquettes

Ink. Instant Coffee

Insulating Board

Linoleum

Mayonnaise

Meal

Meat Tenderizer

Metal Polish

Milk Flakes

Mucilage

Paper

Rubbing Oils

Salve

Soil Conditioner

Shampoo

Shoe Polish

Shaving Cream

Sugar

Synthetic Marble

Synthetic Rubber

Talcum Powder

Vanishing Cream

Wood Stains

Wood Filler

Worcestershire Sauce

From Tjossem, Sara F. Struggles for Sustainability, February 15, 2010.

I feel lazy.