Scientifics

The Past that Created the Present
Maya Winters

In the modern world at the moment it’s all too easy to just accept the level of technology and knowledge surrounding us as the norm, as nothing special. However, even now the rate at which science is advancing is quite astounding and you don’t have to look all that far back in history at all to find a very different Earth.

So, for this article, my aim is to delve into the past and to examine what perhaps have been some of the most amazing inventions and discoveries and their creators. The only trouble that I’ve had in fact is managing to pick only a few of the numerous choices I found so this time around at least I’ve decided to focus on innovations in the medical field. I am aware that some of these inventions you may well have been taught about at some stage in school, but I still felt their importance made them worth a mention!

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Insulin

What is it? A hormone present in the body which control the rate at which the body uses sugar. It is a protein and has a very complicated molecular structure. Diabetics have problems with this hormone either possessing too much or too little of it and thus the understanding of insulin is very important.

How was it discovered? Insulin had been known about long before its first use and pig insulin had been given to diabetics since the 1920s. However, it was in the 1930s when Dorothy Hodgkin first managed to produce X-rays of the insulin molecule and wasn’t until later when all of the various groups making up the protein were known that people had a real idea of its structure. This has enabled human-like insulin to be synthesized for diabetics.

Penicillin

What is it? One of the first antibiotics to be discovered and one of the most used, its aim being to inhibit the growth and development of other micro-organisms.

Who discovered it and when? Sir Alexander Fleming in 1928.

How was it discovered? A plate culture of contaminated Staphylococcus (a bacterium) was discovered by Fleming. It was covered by a blue-green mould which appeared to be acting to kill the bacteria nearest to it. Although Fleming was aware of what was happening, extensive research into the possible uses of penicillin was not carried out until 11 years later.

Vaccinations

Who first used them and when? Edward Jenner in the 18th century, his findings were published in 1798.

How were they discovered? Jenner researched into the serious disease smallpox and its link with cowpox, a much milder and yet similar illness. He performed an experiment by injecting a small boy with a strain of cowpox which being a less serious disease the boy recovered from. Tests were then carried out which proved the boy had become immune to smallpox as well and thus the start of vaccinations began.

X-rays

What are they? Light waves of very short wave length which can penetrate matter.

Who discovered them and when? Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen on November 8th, 1895.

How were they discovered? Entirely by mistake, an image from his cathode ray generator (a device producing beams of electrons) was found which was further away than Röntgen knew the electron beam could travel. More research into these rays showed they could penetrate matter and within a very short time Röntgen had taken an X-ray of his wife’s hand which showed her bones, starting off what must have been a considerable amount of interest from the medical profession.

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Although I have only mentioned four discoveries here, there are an awful lot more out there just within the field of medicine – the band-aid, the CAT scan, disposable diapers to name but a few! Looking elsewhere you have very important inventions in communications, transport and even more areas that have literally changed the face of the Earth.

Whilst writing this article, I have been forced to think about the many items I use daily, even my laptop for example and the achievements of the past that have led to all of this being possible. I hope this will at least make you pause to think for a brief moment and marvel at the creativity of the human brain without which our lives would be so very different.

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Notes The Alte Sententiam is Ravenclaw's running newspaper. Alte Sententiam means 'Higher Thoughts' and its current co-editors-in-chief are Chloe Fairchilde and Cassandra Lobiesk. Articles Malicious Spoilerism Dark Wizards Can't Swim Luna's Expeditions Scientifics To Run or Not to Run Alchemy and Harry Potter Past that Created the Present Not a Sue Reviews Wicked: Wickedly Popular! Puzzles Broomsticks Incantations Info FAQ Staff The Roost HOL	Scientifics The Past that Created the Present Maya Winters In the modern world at the moment it’s all too easy to just accept the level of technology and knowledge surrounding us as the norm, as nothing special. However, even now the rate at which science is advancing is quite astounding and you don’t have to look all that far back in history at all to find a very different Earth. So, for this article, my aim is to delve into the past and to examine what perhaps have been some of the most amazing inventions and discoveries and their creators. The only trouble that I’ve had in fact is managing to pick only a few of the numerous choices I found so this time around at least I’ve decided to focus on innovations in the medical field. I am aware that some of these inventions you may well have been taught about at some stage in school, but I still felt their importance made them worth a mention! ------------------------- Insulin What is it? A hormone present in the body which control the rate at which the body uses sugar. It is a protein and has a very complicated molecular structure. Diabetics have problems with this hormone either possessing too much or too little of it and thus the understanding of insulin is very important. How was it discovered? Insulin had been known about long before its first use and pig insulin had been given to diabetics since the 1920s. However, it was in the 1930s when Dorothy Hodgkin first managed to produce X-rays of the insulin molecule and wasn’t until later when all of the various groups making up the protein were known that people had a real idea of its structure. This has enabled human-like insulin to be synthesized for diabetics. Penicillin What is it? One of the first antibiotics to be discovered and one of the most used, its aim being to inhibit the growth and development of other micro-organisms. Who discovered it and when? Sir Alexander Fleming in 1928. How was it discovered? A plate culture of contaminated Staphylococcus (a bacterium) was discovered by Fleming. It was covered by a blue-green mould which appeared to be acting to kill the bacteria nearest to it. Although Fleming was aware of what was happening, extensive research into the possible uses of penicillin was not carried out until 11 years later. Vaccinations Who first used them and when? Edward Jenner in the 18th century, his findings were published in 1798. How were they discovered? Jenner researched into the serious disease smallpox and its link with cowpox, a much milder and yet similar illness. He performed an experiment by injecting a small boy with a strain of cowpox which being a less serious disease the boy recovered from. Tests were then carried out which proved the boy had become immune to smallpox as well and thus the start of vaccinations began. X-rays What are they? Light waves of very short wave length which can penetrate matter. Who discovered them and when? Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen on November 8th, 1895. How were they discovered? Entirely by mistake, an image from his cathode ray generator (a device producing beams of electrons) was found which was further away than Röntgen knew the electron beam could travel. More research into these rays showed they could penetrate matter and within a very short time Röntgen had taken an X-ray of his wife’s hand which showed her bones, starting off what must have been a considerable amount of interest from the medical profession. ------------------------- Although I have only mentioned four discoveries here, there are an awful lot more out there just within the field of medicine – the band-aid, the CAT scan, disposable diapers to name but a few! Looking elsewhere you have very important inventions in communications, transport and even more areas that have literally changed the face of the Earth. Whilst writing this article, I have been forced to think about the many items I use daily, even my laptop for example and the achievements of the past that have led to all of this being possible. I hope this will at least make you pause to think for a brief moment and marvel at the creativity of the human brain without which our lives would be so very different. [ Return to Top ]