Fleming's discovery of penicillin

Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928 when he noticed that a mold called Penicillium notatum had contaminated one of his bacterial cultures and destroyed the bacteria around it. Intrigued, he studied the mold’s substance and found it produced a compound capable of killing a wide range of bacteria. This groundbreaking discovery led to the development of penicillin, the world's first effective antibiotic, which has saved countless lives by treating bacterial infections that were previously often deadly. Fleming’s observation demonstrated the potential of natural organisms to provide powerful medicines, revolutionizing medicine and public health.