Daniel Rutherford

Daniel Rutherford was a Scottish scientist in the 18th century who is best known for discovering nitrogen, a major component of Earth's atmosphere. In 1772, he demonstrated that air contains a substance that doesn't support life or combustion, which he called "mephitic air"—later known as nitrogen. His work helped scientists understand the composition of air and the role different gases play in our environment. Rutherford's discovery was essential for advancements in chemistry and respiratory science, providing insight into gases' properties and how they influence life on Earth.