As you approach Davenport Hall, you will encounter a plaque honoring John Laughnan, a University of Illinois plant geneticist. In the early 1950s, Laughnan revolutionized corn cultivation when he discovered the “shrunken-2” (sh-2) gene. This mutant gene produces corn known as “supersweet,” containing 4-10 times the sugar content of earlier varieties. The importance of this discovery is difficult to overstate. Today supersweet corn dominates the industry, representing over 95% of fresh corn sold in US grocery stores.

When John Laughnan published his findings in 1953, growers were skeptical. The enhanced sweetness of the corn made it attractive to pests, and germination was inconsistent. After the University cut funding to his research, Laughnan continued his work undaunted on his home farm. Working with his sons, Laughnan developed a cross-breed known as “Illini Chief.” This variety was marketed for commercial use by the Illinois Foundation Seed Company in 1961, achieving broad success in markets across the world.