USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Dr. George Washington Carver’s work resulted in the creation of more than 300 products from peanuts, contributing greatly to the economic improvement of the rural South.

Detailed explanation-2: -Contrary to popular belief, George Washington Carver did not invent peanut butter. He was one of the greatest inventors in American history, discovering over 300 hundred uses for peanuts including chili sauce, shampoo, shaving cream and glue.

Detailed explanation-3: -In all, he developed 300 products from peanuts and 118 from sweet potatoes, in addition to new products from waste materials including recycled oil, and paints and stains from clay. Carver is best known for his research into alternative crops to cotton, such as peanuts, soybeans, and sweet potatoes.

Detailed explanation-4: -In all, he developed more than 300 food, industrial and commercial products from peanuts, including milk, Worcestershire sauce, punches, cooking oils, salad oil, paper, cosmetics, soaps and wood stains. He also experimented with peanut-based medicines, such as antiseptics, laxatives and goiter medications.

Detailed explanation-5: -While George Washington Carver didn’t invent peanut butter, his work-along with that of peanut butter innovators Edson, Kellogg and Straub-helped establish peanut butter as the nutritious staple ingredient found in 94 percent of American households today. For more about peanut butter, visit our History section.