Port Lavaca in Calhoun County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Edward Fred Knipling
Photographed By James Hulse, August 30, 2021
1. Edward Fred Knipling Marker
Inscription.
Edward Fred Knipling. . Prior to Dr. Knipling's work, livestock production in North America was plagued by enormous losses each year due to infestations of Cochliomyia hominivorax, commonly known as the screwworm fly. Edward F. Knipling was born near Port Lavaca on March 20, 1909. As a young man working the fields and tending the animals, he witnessed the devastating effects of the screwworm fly and other pests. Knipling graduated from Port Lavaca High School at age 17 and became interested in entomology while studying agriculture at Texas A&M University. Harkening back to his observations on the farm, he formulated the vision of the need to manage insects and prevent damage. Edward continued his education at Iowa State University where he met his future wife, Phoebe Rebecca Hall. , In 1931, he began work at USDA trapping screwworms, population monitoring and treatments, though he still believed a prevention was needed. Knipling theorized that the introduction of sterile male flies to the population would eradicate the species. This controversial method became known as the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). During world war two, Knipling's work was diverted to the military effort. Credited with leading the USDA team that saved millions of lives developing MYL and DDT, Dr. Knipling won the 1947 U.S. Medal of Merit and the 1948 King's Medal for Service from the United Kingdom. After the war, he received his doctorate from Iowa State University and moved to Washington, D.C. to lead USDA entomology research. In 1953, he and his team achieved eradication of the screwworm fly on an island in the Antilles. In 1959, the screwworm fly was eradicated from Florida and, by 1972, the entire U.S. was free from the infestation. Dr. Knipling remained an active researcher and consultant for USDA until his death in 2000. . This historical marker was erected in 2013 by Texas Historical Commission. It is in Port Lavaca in Calhoun County Texas
Prior to Dr. Knipling's work, livestock production in North America was plagued by enormous losses each year due to infestations of Cochliomyia hominivorax, commonly known as the screwworm fly. Edward F. Knipling was born near Port Lavaca on March 20, 1909. As a young man working the fields and tending the animals, he witnessed the devastating effects of the screwworm fly and other pests. Knipling graduated from Port Lavaca High School at age 17 and became interested in entomology while studying agriculture at Texas A&M University. Harkening back to his observations on the farm, he formulated the vision of the need to manage insects and prevent damage. Edward continued his education at Iowa State University where he met his future wife, Phoebe Rebecca Hall.
In 1931, he began work at USDA trapping screwworms, population monitoring and treatments, though he still believed a prevention was needed. Knipling theorized that the introduction of sterile male flies to the population would eradicate the species. This controversial method became known as the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). During WWII, Knipling's work was diverted to
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the military effort. Credited with leading the USDA team that saved millions of lives developing MYL and DDT, Dr. Knipling won the 1947 U.S. Medal of Merit and the 1948 King's Medal for Service from the United Kingdom. After the war, he received his doctorate from Iowa State University and moved to Washington, D.C. to lead USDA entomology research. In 1953, he and his team achieved eradication of the screwworm fly on an island in the Antilles. In 1959, the screwworm fly was eradicated from Florida and, by 1972, the entire U.S. was free from the infestation. Dr. Knipling remained an active researcher and consultant for USDA until his death in 2000.
Erected 2013 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 17719.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Science & Medicine. A significant historical date for this entry is March 20, 1909.
Location. 28° 35.786′ N, 96° 38.683′ W. Marker is in Port Lavaca, Texas, in Calhoun County. Marker is on Henry Barber Way, ¼ mile north of West Austin Street (State Highway 238), on the left when traveling north. The marker is located on the north side of the Calhoun County Extension building by the entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 186 Henry Barber Way, Port Lavaca TX 77979, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the
Photographed By James Hulse, August 30, 2021
2. The Edward Fred Knipling Marker at the entrance to the building
The New York Times Magazine proclaimed on January 11, 1970, that "Knipling...has been credited by some scientists as having come up with 'the single most original thought in the 20th century.'" Source: Wikipedia
(Submitted on September 19, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed By James Hulse, August 30, 2021
3. The view of the Edward Fred Knipling Marker from the parking lot
Public Domain - Scott Bauer - U.S. gov photo
4. Entomologist Edward F. Knipling
Credits. This page was last revised on September 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 256 times since then and 151 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 19, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
Prior to Dr. Knipling's work, livestock production in North America was plagued by enormous losses each year due to infestations of Cochliomyia hominivorax, commonly known as the screwworm fly. Edward F. Knipling was born near Port Lavaca on March 20, 1909. As a young man working the fields and tending the animals, he witnessed the devastating effects of the screwworm fly and other pests. Knipling graduated from Port Lavaca High School at age 17 and became interested in entomology while studying agriculture at Texas A&M University. Harkening back to his observations on the farm, he formulated the vision of the need to manage insects and prevent damage. Edward continued his education at Iowa State University where he met his future wife, Phoebe Rebecca Hall. 
