Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Mass Production of Penicillin

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

Photographed By William J. Toman, June 24, 2010

1. Mass Production of Penicillin Marker

Inscription. During World War II countless lives were saved through the use of the antibiotic penicillin, a natural product of a mold. However, the drug became widely available only after a method was developed to mass-produce it from a selected and genetically altered strain of the mold. University of Wisconsin bacteriologist Kenneth B. Raper isolated a productive organism, botanist John F. Stauffer genetically modified it, and biochemists William H. Peterson and Marvin Johnson developed submerged fermentation techniques to produce penicillin in quantity. The early wholesale cost of 100,000 units dropped from twenty dollars to three cents by the end of the war.

Erected 2001 by UW Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Science & Medicine • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the University of Wisconsin series list.

Location. 43° 4.519′ N, 89° 24.744′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. Marker is at the intersection of Linden Drive and Babcock Drive, on the left when traveling east on Linden Drive. The marker is on the northeast corner of that intersection in front of the Microbial Sciences Building on the University

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of Wisconsin campus. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1550 Linden Drive, Madison WI 53706, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Genetically Superior Crops (a few steps from this marker); The Land Ethic (within shouting distance of this marker); First Reliable Test of Milk Quality (within shouting distance of this marker); Disease-Resistant Plants (within shouting distance of this marker); Vitamin D Production Ends Rickets (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (about 500 feet away); Discovery of Vitamins A and B (about 600 feet away); Forging Agrarian Democracy (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Photographed By William J. Toman, June 24, 2010

2. Mass Production of Penicillin Marker

With the Microbial Sciences Building in the background

Agricultural Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, June 25, 2010

3. Agricultural Hall

According to the UW web site, "Built in 1902, Agricultural Hall was designed as the administrative and research home of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. The building remains almost entirely unmodified and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985."

Hall of Agriculture, Library and Auditorium image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, June 24, 2010

4. Hall of Agriculture, Library and Auditorium

The back entrance to Agricultural Hall

Detail on Agricultural Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, June 24, 2010

5. Detail on Agricultural Hall

Symbol of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,197 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 3, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.