A gigantic map of all the cool plaques in the world. A project of 99% Invisible.

First Statistical Laboratory in the US

Iowa State University First Statistical Laboratory Established in 1933, the Statistical Laboratory at Iowa State was the first research and consulting institute of its kind in the country.  Early...

Iowa State University First Statistical Laboratory Established in 1933, the Statistical Laboratory at Iowa State was the first research and consulting institute of its kind in the country. ...

    First Ag Engineering Degree

    The first agricultural engineering degree in the world was granted at Iowa State University in 1910. J. Brownlee Davidson led the development of the discipline which applied engineering and...

    The first agricultural engineering degree in the world was granted at Iowa State University in 1910. J. Brownlee Davidson led the development of the discipline which applied engineering...

      Innovative Baler

      Farmers were saved from the backbreaking chore of slinging hay bales in the 1960s when Iowa State agricultural engineering professor Wesley Buchele and a group of student researchers invented a...

      Farmers were saved from the backbreaking chore of slinging hay bales in the 1960s when Iowa State agricultural engineering professor Wesley Buchele and a group of student researchers invented...

        Chemical Analysis Innovation

        "Pioneering work in inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy at Iowa State led to an analysis tool that's standard in thousands of laboratories worldwide. Developed in 1966 by professor and Ames...

        "Pioneering work in inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy at Iowa State led to an analysis tool that's standard in thousands of laboratories worldwide. Developed in 1966 by professor and...

          A Faster Fax

          In 1971, Iowa State electrical engineering doctoral student David Nicholas invented a process to more efficiently convert text into digital information. Facsimile machine manufacturers adopted the...

          In 1971, Iowa State electrical engineering doctoral student David Nicholas invented a process to more efficiently convert text into digital information. Facsimile machine manufacturers adopted the...

            Atanasoff-Berry Computer

            Vacuum Tubes from the Atanasoff-Berry Computer The Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC) was the first computer to utilize electronics in carrying out computer operations and digital arithmetic...

            Vacuum Tubes from the Atanasoff-Berry Computer The Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC) was the first computer to utilize electronics in carrying out computer operations and digital...

            • computer history

            Largest Grant Wood Murals

            Grant Wood's largest murals are located in Iowa State's Parks Library. Wood, best known for his painting American Gothic that depicts a stoic farm couple, was commissioned by Iowa State in the...

            Grant Wood's largest murals are located in Iowa State's Parks Library. Wood, best known for his painting American Gothic that depicts a stoic farm couple, was commissioned by Iowa State in...

              Pure Uranium

              In 1942, a group of Iowa State scientists led by professors Frank Spedding and Harley Wilhelm developed the process to produce highly pure uranium. More than 2,000,000 pounds of uranium were...

              In 1942, a group of Iowa State scientists led by professors Frank Spedding and Harley Wilhelm developed the process to produce highly pure uranium. More than 2,000,000 pounds of uranium were...

                First Water Tower West of the Mississippi

                The 168-foot-tall Marston Water Tower was the first elevated steel water tank west of the Mississippi River when it was erected in 1897. It is named for Anson Marston, Iowa State's first...

                The 168-foot-tall Marston Water Tower was the first elevated steel water tank west of the Mississippi River when it was erected in 1897. It is named for Anson Marston, Iowa State's...

                  Birthplace of the Computer

                  The world's first electronic digital computer was built on the Iowa State campus from 1939 through 1942 by John V. Atanasoff, a professor of physics and mathematics, and Clifford Berry, an...

                  The world's first electronic digital computer was built on the Iowa State campus from 1939 through 1942 by John V. Atanasoff, a professor of physics and mathematics, and Clifford Berry,...

                    Library Boy and Girl

                    Artist: Christian Petersen (Danish-American, 1885-1961) Title: Library Boy and Girl 2008 casts from 1944 plaster maquettes Media: Bronze   Petersen's Library Boy and Girl depict two students...

                    Artist: Christian Petersen (Danish-American, 1885-1961) Title: Library Boy and Girl 2008 casts from 1944 plaster maquettes Media: Bronze   Petersen's Library Boy and Girl depict two students...

                    • art sculpture

                    First Land-Grant Home Economics College

                    In 1871, Iowa State became the first land-grant institution in the nation to teach "domestic science." In 1872, Mary B. Welch, wife of Iowa State President Adonijah Welch, became the first...

                    In 1871, Iowa State became the first land-grant institution in the nation to teach "domestic science." In 1872, Mary B. Welch, wife of Iowa State President Adonijah Welch, became the...

                      First Land-Grant

                      Iowa started an education revolution as the first state to accept the 1862 Morrill Act terms. The act allowed Iowa to sell federal land to finance a new college open to all regardless of wealth,...

                      Iowa started an education revolution as the first state to accept the 1862 Morrill Act terms. The act allowed Iowa to sell federal land to finance a new college open to all regardless of...

                        First Artist-in- Residence

                        Christian Petersen was the first artist-in-residence at a university in the United States when he sculpted at Iowa State from 1934 through 1955. Petersen is becoming recognized as one of the best...

                        Christian Petersen was the first artist-in- residence at a university in the United States when he sculpted at Iowa State from 1934 through 1955. Petersen is becoming recognized as one of the best...

                          World's Hardiest Roses

                          Revered by rose lovers, legendary Iowa State University horticulturist Griffith Buck developed more than 90 rose varieties from the late 1940s to his retirement in 1985. His roses are considered...

                          Revered by rose lovers, legendary Iowa State University horticulturist Griffith Buck developed more than 90 rose varieties from the late 1940s to his retirement in 1985. His roses are...

                            First Veterinary Medicine College

                            In 1879, Iowa State University established the first public college of veterinary medicine in the United States. In 1903, Iowa State began offering the nation’s first four-year professional...

                            In 1879, Iowa State University established the first public college of veterinary medicine in the United States. In 1903, Iowa State began offering the nation’s first four-year professional...

                              Birthplace of Cooperative Extension

                              In 1903, the nation's first cooperative agricultural extension program was launched when Iowa State professor Perry Holden, a group of farmers in Sioux County, and the county's board of...

                              In 1903, the nation's first cooperative agricultural extension program was launched when Iowa State professor Perry Holden, a group of farmers in Sioux County, and the county's board...

                                Kissing Under the Campanile

                                Iowa State University Campaniling This beloved campanile was built in 1898 and is home to the Stanton Memorial Carillon.  The carillon bells ring daily and tradition states that a student...

                                Iowa State University Campaniling This beloved campanile was built in 1898 and is home to the Stanton Memorial Carillon.  The carillon bells ring daily and tradition states that a...