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Anaximander is an ancient greek philosopher who proposed that all life arose from the elements of the world.
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Aristotle, and the Greek philosophers in his era, all advocated the theory of spontaneous generation. Although their theories varied, they were consistent in support that life came from nothing.
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William Harvey, an English Physician, coined the term “ex ova omnia” (all from eggs). He was one of the first to reject spontaneous generation. Along him was Francisco Redi, Antonio Vallisnieri, and other biologists. The discovery of micro organisms by Van Leeuwenhoek turned the scientists’ attention to the smaller world of the insect. It was then proven that even flies were not spontaneously generated.
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Francisco Redi, an Italian scientist, designed the very specific experiment to disprove the theory of spontaneous generation by placing fresh meat in an open jar and one covered with a cloth. This experiment was redone multiple times in support or challenge to the spontaneous generation.
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In the 19th century, further debate occurred around the work of Buffon’s support for spontaneous generation. It was during the time, that Darwin’s very Grandfather, Dr Erasmus Darwin, wrote that “Hence without parents, by spontaneous birht, Rise the first specks of animated earth.”
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Famous pathologist and cytologist Rudolph Virchow claimed that spontaneous generation was “heresy, or devil’s work”. A firm supported of cell theory, Virchow witnessed the turning of the battle.
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Pasteur re-created the Redi’s experiment. Armed with the latest technology of the 19th century, was able to prove that life, did not arouse from non-living organic material.
