UW researchers have made many discoveries with long-lasting importance and far-reaching effects. But perhaps the work with the broadest implications was the discovery of vitamin A — made by Elmer McCollum and Marguerite Widman Davis BA1926 in 1913. This led to further studies in the chemistry of food, and other scientists soon found more vitamins. UW professor Conrad Elvehjem PhD1927 learned how to extract niacin (vitamin B3), and Harry Steenbock BSA1908, MS1910, PhD1916 discovered that exposing foods to ultraviolet light helped to develop vitamin D (the molecule is shown on the wall). Steenbock patented his process, and it became the first important license agreement for the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, which has helped to fund UW research ever since.

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Badger Pride Wall art is by Nate Koehler