Wisconsin History Day By Day

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Stephen Moulton Babcock

Read More About It

"Wisconsin Inventors" Wisconsin Historical Society

"Wisconsin Blue Book" 1958

Vocabulary:

device

measured

invention

acclaimed

expositions

patent

Interesting Fact:

It was estimated in 1900 that Babcock's milk tester was saving $800,000 a year in Wisconsin because it eliminated waste and fraud.

Study Questions:

Why did Babcock refuse to patent the milk tester?

Why was the milk tester so important?

Where was Babcock working when he invented the milk tester?

U.S. historical events that occurred on March 27:

1964: A major earthquake hits Alaska, killing 114 people.

March 27

March 27, 1901: Scientist Stephen M. Babcock received a medal from the Wisconsin legislature for his milk tester, a device which measured the fat content of milk. The invention was widely acclaimed and won grand prizes at the Paris and St. Louis expositions. Babcock refused to patent the device.

Wisconsin History Day By Day homepage January - December calendar page

March 27, 1901: Scientist Stephen M. Babcock received a medal from the Wisconsin legislature for his milk tester, a device which measured the fat content of milk. The invention was widely acclaimed and won grand prizes at the Paris and St. Louis expositions. Babcock refused to patent the device.