AMES (AP) — Iowa State University holds the patent for the process that led to making the world-famous Maytag blue cheese. The university’s research foundation also holds patents for lead-free solder used in most of today’s electronics, and the algorithm that made a faster fax machine.
The Iowa State University Research Foundation is observing its 75th anniversary as the organization that receives, protects, and licenses inventions resulting university research.
The blue cheese patent awarded in 1938 was one of the first issued to the university.
Since then other ISU scientists have created a vaccination for kennel cough and developed Allsweet hybrid watermelon varieties.
Over the last 10 years, the foundation has returned over $55 million to inventors, colleges and research centers.