Medical Pioneer. A University of Wisconsin professor of biochemistry and an inventor, he was one of the discoverers of vitamins D, A and B. In late 1923, he demonstrated that irradiation with ultraviolet light increased the vitamin D contents of foods and other materials. Professor Steenbock became aware that his invention held the potential to eliminate rickets, a crippling bone disease of children caused by vitamin D deficiency. In February 1927, the University issued a license agreement with the Quaker Oats Company, which would use Harry's irradiation process to fortify the vitamin D content of breakfast cereals. Several equipment manufacturers also used his vitamin D process for irradiating flowing films of milk. Thus began the era of vitamin D fortified milk. And, pharmaceutical companies used his invention in the development of a medicinal preparation of vitamin D called Viosterol. By 1945, rickets had all but disappeared. Harry was born on a crossroads farm in Charlestown Township of Calumet county, Wisconsin. He was the son of Harry Steenbock and Christine (Oesau) Steenbock. The young Steenbock attended county schools at New Holstein, Wisconsin and graduated from high school at Chilton, Wisconsin, before entering the University of Wisconsin, College of Agriculture in 1904. He eventually received his Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree in 1916 and became professor of biochemistry three years later. He was a bachelor for most of his life. In March 1948, at the age of 61, he married Evelyn Van Donk. Harry died on a Monday at the age of 81 years 4 months 9 days.
Medical Pioneer. A University of Wisconsin professor of biochemistry and an inventor, he was one of the discoverers of vitamins D, A and B. In late 1923, he demonstrated that irradiation with ultraviolet light increased the vitamin D contents of foods and other materials. Professor Steenbock became aware that his invention held the potential to eliminate rickets, a crippling bone disease of children caused by vitamin D deficiency. In February 1927, the University issued a license agreement with the Quaker Oats Company, which would use Harry's irradiation process to fortify the vitamin D content of breakfast cereals. Several equipment manufacturers also used his vitamin D process for irradiating flowing films of milk. Thus began the era of vitamin D fortified milk. And, pharmaceutical companies used his invention in the development of a medicinal preparation of vitamin D called Viosterol. By 1945, rickets had all but disappeared. Harry was born on a crossroads farm in Charlestown Township of Calumet county, Wisconsin. He was the son of Harry Steenbock and Christine (Oesau) Steenbock. The young Steenbock attended county schools at New Holstein, Wisconsin and graduated from high school at Chilton, Wisconsin, before entering the University of Wisconsin, College of Agriculture in 1904. He eventually received his Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree in 1916 and became professor of biochemistry three years later. He was a bachelor for most of his life. In March 1948, at the age of 61, he married Evelyn Van Donk. Harry died on a Monday at the age of 81 years 4 months 9 days.
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