20 “accidental” inventions and discoveries

Penicillin

Penicillin completely revolutionized medicine and continues to saves lives to this day. But, it was discovered by pure chance! One day in September 1928, doctor Alexander Fleming, a British biologist, returned to his laboratory after being on vacation to discover his Petri dishes full of mould.

Analysis revealed the culprit. It was a tiny fungus that one of his colleagues had been working on, Penicilium notatum
When cleaning his laboratory, he discovered that an area around the fungus contained no bacteria. He hypothesized that the fungus was secreting an antibacterial substance. He called this penicillin.

Pages ( 2 of 21 ): « Previous1 2 34 ... 21Next »

Latest

Lifestyle

Mind & Soul

Trending

Nutrition

Curiosities

Get Weekly updates

Subscribe now