Sweden

Google Doodle Honors Swedish Scientist Eva Ekeblad

The Google Doodle for July 10 recognizes the accomplishments of Swedish scientist Eva Ekeblad, who discovered in 1746 that flour and alcohol could be made from potatoes.

According to Google: “The Swedish scientist brought potatoes, then a greenhouse curiosity, to the people. Eva discovered the starch was humble but mighty – potatoes could be ground into flour or distilled into spirits. Her discovery helped reduce famine for years to come.”

July 10 is the 293rd birthday for Ekeblad, who in 1748 was the first woman to be elected to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. It would take more than 200 years for another woman to be honored.

It marks the second time in the past month that Sweden has been on display with a Doodle. Google highlighted Sweden’s National Day on June 6.