118 Products from Sweet Potatoes
George Washington Carver developed 118 products from sweet potatoes, demonstrating the remarkable versatility of this crop. His sweet potato research was crucial in providing Southern farmers with profitable alternatives to cotton.
The products ranged from food items and dyes to industrial materials and even synthetic rubber - particularly valuable during wartime shortages.
Food Products ~55
- Sweet potato flour
- Starch and tapioca substitute
- Sugar and syrup
- Vinegar
- Breakfast cereals
- Mock coconut
- Candies and confections
Dyes & Stains 73+
- Fabric dyes (multiple colors)
- Wood stains
- Leather dyes
- Inks and writing fluids
- Shoe polish
- Paints
Industrial Products ~20
- Synthetic rubber
- Alcohol/ethanol
- Glue and paste
- Rope
- Molasses
- Library paste
Other Uses ~15
- Livestock feed
- Medicinal preparations
- Cosmetics
- Household cleaners
- Fertilizers
Wartime Significance
Carver's sweet potato research became especially important during World War I and World War II. When traditional sources of dyes, rubber, and other materials were cut off, Carver's plant-based alternatives helped fill critical gaps.
His work on synthetic rubber from sweet potatoes attracted attention from the U.S. government and industrialists like Henry Ford.