Scientist enters Hall of Fame at Peoria Ag Lab

PEORIA (25News Now) - A local scientist is now in the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Hall of Fame for many things, like helping to develop disposable diapers.

George Fanta was a research scientist at Peoria’s Ag Lab.

His work on chemical compounds in the 1960′s would eventually lead to absorbent diapers - and a larger market of related super absorbent polymers - now valued at $100 billion dollars.

Fanta also worked extensively on uses for corn starch and wheat flour.

“It’s hard to imagine how something that’s 95 percent corn starch can kill termites, can kill bacteria, kill algae. It’s a really powerful technology that George inspired us to do and helped start,” said Gordon Selling, Lead Scientist for the ARS at the Peoria facility.

Fanta worked at the Ag lab for over 50 years, retiring in 2021 in his mid-80′s.

He attended the event Friday held in his honor and could be seen talking with some of the attendees, as well as eating.

Fanta also won research awards in five different decades, Selling said.

He adds that with tens of thousands of researchers over the years, just over 100 are in the Hall of Fame.