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

Vitamin D Production Ends Rickets

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

Photographed By William J. Toman, July 1, 2012

1. Vitamin D Production Ends Rickets Marker

Inscription. The discovery of how to produce vitamin D stands as a critical event in the history of vitamin research. In 1924, University of Wisconsin biochemist Harry Steenbock discovered that ultraviolet light converts an inactive material in food to vitamin D. Application of this discovery virtually eliminated rickets, a debilitating bone disease once common among children. Steenbock used the proceeds from his invention to originate and fund the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.

This marker is made possible by a grant from the UW Foundation

Erected 2001 by the UW Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the University of Wisconsin series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.

Location. 43° 4.445′ N, 89° 24.751′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. Marker is at the intersection of Babcock Drive and University Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Babcock Drive. The marker is at the southwest corner of the Biochemistry Addition building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 433 Babcock 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. Discovery of Vitamins A and B (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line);

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Eliminating Pellagra (about 300 feet away); Controlling Blood Clotting (about 400 feet away); Genetically Superior Crops (about 400 feet away); First Reliable Test of Milk Quality (about 400 feet away); Mass Production of Penicillin (about 500 feet away); The Land Ethic (about 500 feet away); First Chemical Synthesis of a Gene (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

More about this marker. This marker is part of a series commemorating the sesquicentennial of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Photographed By William J. Toman, July 1, 2012

2. Vitamin D Production Ends Rickets Marker

The marker is at the southwest corner of the Biochemistry Addition building, near the tree in the lower left in this photo.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2012, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 501 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 3, 2012, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.