Ohio started it but Iowa made butter cows iconic

State of play: Ohio’s State Fair debuted a butter cow in 1903, eight years before Iowa, and now Columbus is angling for “Butter Cow Capital” status.

Yes, but: Being first isn’t the same as being iconic. Otherwise we’d all still be using AOL.

Flashback: Iowa’s butter cow arrived in 1911 and has since become one of the State Fair’s defining traditions — a 600-pound refrigerated celebrity that draws crowds without singing, dancing, or caucusing.

• Only five sculptors have held the job. Legendary Norma “Duffy” Lyon shaped the cow for 45 years, and Sarah Pratt apprenticed under her before taking over.

The bottom line: Ohio can keep the participation ribbon. Nice try, Buckeyes.

• Iowa has the cow people actually know.