Stephen Babcock: Agriculture’s MVP – Wisconsin Biographies – PBS Wisconsin Education

How do you make history?

Not driven by fame or fortune, Stephen Babcock found his inspiration to innovate in the possibility of making people’s lives better. While working as an agricultural chemist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he created the Babcock Test, which made it possible to accurately and efficiently find the amount of butterfat in milk, a total game-changer for the dairy industry. The test, along with his other all-star research discoveries, helped Wisconsin gain the nickname, “America’s Dairyland.”

Meet Stephen Babcock

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Questions to Consider

Stephen did lots of experiments to develop the Babcock Test. He wanted to figure out how to make it work for all cows before he would let it be published. When have you had to do multiple steps or spend time to figure something out? How did you feel about what you were working on? How did you share what you learned?

How did Stephen’s work affect those living in Wisconsin? How did it affect people around the world?

If you could create something that would solve a problem, what problem would you want to solve? Why?

Peek Into the Past

A black and white photograph of an older Stephen Babcock. He has a serious expression and looks to the right of the viewer.

Professor Stephen Babcock

Stephen was a professor and scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Image courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society. WHi-61310.

A black and white image of a younger Stephen with dark hair and a mustache. He has a serious expression on his face and looks to the left of the viewer.

Young Stephen Babcock

Portrait of a Stephen as a young man

Image courtesy of the UW-Madison Archives

A black and white image showing an older Stephen outside in a white coat and hat, holding a rope that is around a large cows nose.

A Love of Dairy

Steven studied dairy and nutrition during his career.

Image courtesy of the UW-Madison Archives, S04929.

A black and white portrait of Stephen, in which his head and shoulders are visible. He has a beard, and is wearing glasses. He is looking to the left of the viewer.

Stephen Moulton Babcock

Stephen was an agricultural chemist and UW faculty member.

Image courtesy of the UW-Madison Archives, S05976.

A black and white image of Stephen holding up parts of an instrument and looking closely at them.

Measuring Milk

Stephen created the Babcock Test, which measures the amount of fat in milk.

Image courtesy of the UW-Madison Archives.

A black and white image of Stephen holding up parts of an instrument and looking closely at them.

Testing Butterfat

Dr. Stephen Babcock with an electric centrifuge butterfat tester.

Image courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society

A yellow-tinted image showing a paper with the heading, "The Babcock Test: What It Is and What It Does" with an image of the equipment used.

The Babock Test

This pamplet tells how the Babcock Test works

Image courtesy of the UW-Madison Archives, S04922.

A black and white images of two boys at a tabled experimenting with equipment.

Students Try Too

Students using the Babcock Test at their elementary school

Image courtesy of the UW-Madison Archives, S04922.

A color image of a bronze medal with people in the center and the words "Wisconsin Legislature 1899" around the outside.

Memorabilia

A medal from the Wisconsin Legislature and Governor Robert M. La Follette for inventing the Babcock Test (1899).

Image courtesy of the UW-Madison Archives, Memorabilia_00667.

A color image of Stephen standing outside in front of a wall of brightly colored flowers.

A Love of Flowers

The Babcock hollyhock was named in Stephen’s honor.

Image courtesy of the UW-Madison Archives, S12082.

A black and white image of Stephen standing with his hand on a metal lid.

Churning Device

Stephen poses with a churning device

Image courtesy of the UW-Madison Archives, S00111.

A black and white image of Stephen standing on the steps outside of a brick building with a group of people behind him.

PhD Celebration

Stephen (center) and his colleagues celebrate the renewal of his PhD at the University Club in Madison

Image courtesy of the UW-Madison Archives, S09124.

A black and white image showing two older men seated on a porch.

Babcock and Henry

Stephen Babcock and Dean Henry reminiscing together.

Image courtesy of the UW-Madison Archives, S04927.

A color image of a man standing in front of a steel counter, with a hose feeding into a carton.

Babcock Dairy Store

The Babcock Dairy store at UW-Madison makes ice cream and other dairy products.

Image courtesy of Jeff Miller/UW-Madison.

A color image of the Babcock Dr. street sign on the UW-Madison campus.

Legacy

Roads, buildings, and towns were named in Stephen’s honor.

Read On

Stephen Babcock portrait illustration

Stephen Babcock: Agriculture’s MVP

Get the full story with this biography book. Audio files are available on each page if you’d like to listen along!

Project Credits

Producer
Becky Marburger

Illustration
The Brave Union

Translation Services
University of Wisconsin–Madison Cultural Linguistic Services

Animation
The Brave Union

Animation Voice Over
Mike Mahnke

Educator Support Materials
Mia Forslund

Web
John Vieth
Erika Kachama-Nkoy
Tim Schneider

Audiobook Narration
Paul Elite

Audiobook Editing
Kerman Eckes

Captioning
Catie Pfeifer
Vicki Way Kipp

Design
Charles Barrows

Special Thanks
Kristin Leglar

Story Advisors

Brenda Autz
Park Elementary School
Middleton, WI
(2017)

Charlene Dupler
Lakeview Elementary School
Wind Lake, WI
(2017)

Kurt Griesemer
Wisconsin Historical Society
Madison, WI
(2017)

Kristen McDaniel
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Madison, WI
(2017)

David J. O’Connor
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Madison, WI
(2017)

Amanda Price
Marshall Elementary School
Marshall, WI

Beth Thayer
Hillsboro Elementary School
Hillsboro, WI
(2021)

Corey Thompson
Cardinal Stritch University
(2017)

Stephanie Unertl
Lake Mills Area School District
Lake Mills, WI
(2017)

Christina Venn
Sheboygan Falls Elementary School
Sheboygan Falls, WI
(2021)