Many Uses for Corn
Corn was an important part of the diet of many Indian groups. They also
used all parts of the corn plant. The husks could be braided and woven
to make masks, moccasins, sleeping mats, baskets or cornhusk dolls. Corncobs
could be used for fuel, for game darts or for ceremonial use.
 There
are many uses
for corn today as well. Just as Indians depended on corn as a major
part of their diet it would be difficult for any American today to live
without corn. Fabrics used to make your clothing are strengthened by cornstarch.
The chickens that laid the eggs you had for breakfast were fed corn. Many
of the soft drinks you enjoy are sweetened with corn syrup.
The textbooks you study from and the books you check out of the library
are bound with cornstarch. The ink used to print them contains corn oil.
Ethanol
is made from corn. The car that carries you to and from school may be
powered by fuel containing ethanol. Corn is also used in such products
as glue, shoe polish, aspirin, ink, marshmallows, ice cream and cosmetics.
New ways of using corn are being developed every day. Our only limitation
is our own imagination.
The History of Corn Continued...
Photos used by permission from the USDA
Online Photography Center.
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Introduction
