Dr. Norman Borlaug
The man who saved a billion lives
Dr. Borlaugh made a big impact in his life, which is still very apparrent today. Read on, to explore his life.
1914
Born in Cresco, Iowa
1933
Leaves his family's farm to attend the University of Minnesota, thanks to a Depression era program known as the "National Youth Administration"
1935
Has to stop school and save up more money. Works in the Civilian Conservation Corps, helping starving Americans. "I saw how food changed them", he said. "All of this left scars on me."
1937
Finishes university and takes a job in the US Forestry Service
1938
Marries wife of 69 years Margret Gibson. Gets laid off due to budget cuts. Inspired by Elvin Charles Stakman, he returns to school study under Stakman, who teaches him about breeding pest-resistent plants.
1941
Tries to enroll in the military after the Pearl Harbor attack, but is rejected. Instead, the military asked his lab to work on waterproof glue, DDT to control malaria, disenfectants, and other applied science.
1942
Receives a Ph.D. in Genetics and Plant Pathology
1944
Rejects a 100% salary increase from Dupont, leaves behind his pregnant wife, and flies to Mexico to head a new plant pathology program. Over the next 16 years, his team breeds 6,000 different strains of disease resistent wheat - including different varieties for each major climate on Earth.
1945
Discovers a way to grown wheat twice each season, doubling wheat yields
1953
crosses a short, sturdy dwarf breed of wheat with a high-yeidling American breed, creating a strain that responds well to fertalizer. It goes on to provide 95% of Mexico's wheat.
1962
Visits Delhi and brings his high-yielding strains of wheat to the Indian subcontinent in time to help mitigate mass starvation due to a rapidly expanding population
1970
receives the Nobel Peace Prize
1983
helps seven African countries dramatically increase their maize and sorghum yields
1984
becomes a distinguished professor at Texas A&M University
2005
states "we will have to double the world food supply by 2050." Argues that genetically modified crops are the only way we can meet the demand, as we run out of arable land. Says that GM crops are not inherently dangerous because "we've been genetically modifying plants and animals for a long time. Long before we called it science, people were selecting the best breeds."
2009
dies at the age of 95.
Pictures by (In Order): University of Minnesota Department of Plant Pathology from St. Paul, MN, USA; Bettmann/CORBIS; Public Domain; freecodecamp;