Scientists believe people living in central Mexico developed corn at least 7000 years ago. It was started from a wild grass called teosinte. Teosinte looked very different from our corn today. The kernels were small and not placed close together like kernels on the ear of modern corn.

It would be difficult for any American today to live without corn. Fabircs 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.  Books are bound with cornstarch. The ink used to print them contains corn oil. Ethanol is made from corn. The car you drive 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.

Corn is produced on every continent of the world with the exception of Antarctica.

Corn is a human invention, a plant that does not exist naturally in the wild. It can only survive if planted and protected by humans.