Science Years ~The Lucky Mistake

1928; unorganized lab proved very fortunate

Took a vacation and left a culture plate smeared with Staphlyococcus bacteria on lab bench

Spores of an unusual blue mold drifted into his lab and germinated his plate

Cultures showed antibacterial properties - Penicillin notatum

Penicillin was completed in 1940 by other scientists in Britian.

Previous slide Next slide Back to first slide View graphic version


Beverly J. Brown
Nazareth College
Biology Department

Last updated 06/19/2001