Ralph Harper McKee
# Ralph Harper McKee

Ralph Harper McKee (June 20, 1874 – February 24, 1967) was a professor at the department of chemical engineering at Columbia University. He was the first person to be awarded a patent for a novel plant.

## Biography

He was born on June 20, 1874, in Missouri to James T. McKee and Mary Frances Ricketts.

In 1923 he and Max Kahn developed a novel fat substitute, called intarvin.

He was married, and in 1928 he and his wife divorced.

By 1932 he was in the department of chemical engineering at Columbia University where he was able to manufacture diamonds "larger than ever before produced artificially" and was able to produce artificial wool from jute.

In 1938 he received the first patent issued for a novel plant variety.

He died on February 24, 1967, in Manhattan, New York.

## Footnotes

* 1 2 3 "Dr. Ralph M'Kee, 92, Patented A Poplar". The New York Times. February 27, 1967. Retrieved 2013-12-23.
* ↑ "Dr. Kahn Reveals Diabetes Remedy. A Complement of Insulin Discovered by Beth Israel Professor and Associates. Dr. Ralph H. McKee of Columbia Works Out Manufacture". The New York Times. August 3, 1923. Retrieved 2013-12-28.
* ↑ "Intarvin". Time magazine. August 20, 1923. Retrieved 2013-12-28.
* ↑ "Court Refuses to Halt Florida Divorce Action. Denial in McKee Case". The New York Times. May 5, 1928. Retrieved 2013-12-28.
* ↑ "Diamonds Are Made By A New Process. 1-20th Carat Gems, the Largest Ever Obtained Artificially, Produced at Columbia. Graduate Holds Patent. Cost Under Barnett's Method Put at $5 a Carat. Jeweler Doubts Commercial Value. Synthetic Wool Invented. Prof. McKee Develops Substitute From Jute Fibers Which Can Be Made for 25 Cents a Pound". The New York Times. April 13, 1932. Retrieved 2013-12-28.
* ↑ "New Record Set in 1937 Patents For Invention of Plant Varieties. Forty-nine Grants Made Include Those for 'Thornless' and 'Almost Black' Roses. New York Man Takes the Lead". The New York Times. January 9, 1938. Retrieved 2013-12-23.
