Sylvia Blankenship

Sylvia Blankenship, inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2022, transformed her early love for nature into a groundbreaking career in horticulture. Dr. Blankenship’s pioneering research focused on the impact of ethylene, a plant hormone, on fruit ripening, leading to the co-development of 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) with biochemist Edward Sisler. Patented in 1996, 1-MCP revolutionized postharvest technology by extending the freshness of fruits, vegetables, and flowers, significantly reducing food waste and enhancing year-round availability. Blankenship’s work with 1-MCP has had commercial success and environmental benefits. The chapter also includes a discussion on the fight against food waste.