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400
Aristotle in 400 BCE
Was the first to theorize the idea of "Spontaneous Generation". The theory was largely influencial and was a matter of discussion for more than a millenium -
Francesco Redi - 1668
One of the first to who acted to disprove spontaneous generation. -
Rise of the Microscope - 1700
By around the year 700, the microscope was starting to rise as a ubiquitous tool for scientists in their studies. This is an important event because with the use of a microscope, they are finally able to analyze data in different states in a much clearer medium. -
John Needham - 1748
Used gravy by heating the liquid. Discovered microorganisms that was present in the liquid. Experiment started a controversy in their scientific community as many believed they had incompetent theories, as well as underperforming equipment -
Lazzaro Spallanzani - 1765
Was an Italian biologist who exprimented and toyed with Needham's previous work -
Louis Pasteur - 1857
Much like Needham, expermiented with liquid (broth, in his case). Notably, his expermient to disprove spontaneous generation included now-famous "swan-neck" flasks. He is notably the one to effectively disprove Spontanous Generation once and for all, ending a millenium long debate that began back in 400 BCE with Aristotle.