Debunking soybean myths and legends in the historical and popular literature

The soybean [Glycine mar (L.) Merr.] is one of humanity's principle food crops. Unfortunately, the historical and popular literature concerning soybean is replete with factual errors that keep recycling from one publication or website to another without documentation. In this essay we attempt to correct the most egregious errors about soybean history. The earliest known introduction of the soybean into North America was by Samuel Bowen in 1765 and not Benjamin Franklin. A royal patent 878 was issued to Bowen for making soy sauce from Chinese vetches (soybean). The 1804 date cited as the oldest introduction of the soybean into the USA is clearly in error. George Washington Carver did not play an important role in the introduction of the soybean to the USA. The soybean is not one of the world's oldest domesticated crops, has not been cultivated in China for more than 5000 yr (50 centuries), and Emperor Shennong is a mythical figure. The current oldest record for the soybean in China dates back to the 11th century BCE or perhaps a bit earlier.