I have been a Wisconsin Badger for more than 30 years. The nickname of the state, and the mascot of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, are derived from lead. Lead mining in southwestern Wisconsin was one of the state's first industries. During the 1830s, lead miners, mostly young, single men, came up the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers from St. Louis and points south to spend their summers digging for lead. Not wanting to waste time on frills like housing, they lived in dugouts in the sides of hills. Some residents said they lived like badgers, a derogatory label they adopted with pride.