 |
|
In the late 1920s, the South Carolina Natural Resources Commission began a
public relations campaign to advertise the high iodine levels found in fruits
and vegetables grown in the state. Even South Carolina milk was promoted as
containing extraordinarily high levels of iodine. Promotional tracts sought to
expand the national market for South Carolina produce by warning midwestern and
west coast residents of the consequences of iodine deficiency in the young,
including enlarged thyroids, mental and physical birth defects, and even
sterility. The campaign
Despite the promotional gimmicks, South Carolina agriculture saw little benefit from the iodine campaign. With the advent of iodized salt in the 1940s, Americans had a convenient dietary supplement and demand for foods high in iodine content declined.
R. T. Oliver
|
The chemical element iodine derives its name from the violet
color of its gaseous form. A rare element (sixty-second in global abundance), it
occurs naturally as a trace chemical in certain soils, rocks, seawater, plants,
and animals. In humans, it is largely found in the thyroid gland, which secretes
iodine-bearing hormones responsible for regulating metabolism. A deficiency of
iodine causes an unsightly swelling of the neck and jaw known as a goiter.
placed the motto “Iodine” on South Carolina
automobile license plates in 1930, then expanded the phrase in subsequent years
to “The Iodine State” and “The Iodine Products State.” Columbia radio
station WIS took its call letters to promote the “Wonderful Iodine State.”
Even lowcountry moonshiners around Hell Hole Swamp jumped on the iodine
bandwagon, advertising their brand of liquid corn with the slogan: “Not a
Goiter in a Gallon.”