Ep. 62 Antibiotics: How This Accidental Discovery Changed the World Forever

History Fix

Send us a Text Message.

This week, I'll delve into the surprising history of antibiotics. You'll learn how penicillin was discovered by accident and how its development was helped along by a moldy cantaloupe from a Peoria, Illinois farmers market. I'll also uncover how it went on to act as a secret weapon, helping the allied forces to victory during World War II. Plus I'm going to get real personal to share the tell all story of why my husband is physically disabled and suffering from chronic pain at the age of 35 from taking a particular type of antibiotic. This is not easy to share, but I need to warn you. It may very well save your life.
Sources:

• The Microbiology Society "The History of Antibiotics"
• National Library of Medicine "The Treasure Called Antibiotics"
• National Library of Medicine "Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek: Master of Fleas and Father of Microbiology"
• National Library of Medicine "A Brief History of the Antibiotics Era"
• PBS "The real story behind penicillin"
• Live Science "What is penicillin, and how was it discovered?"
• healthychildren.org "The History of Antibiotics"
• World Health Organization "Global child deaths reach historic low in 2022 - UN report"
• Harvard Library "Germ Theory"
• USDA "The Enduring Mystery of Moldy Mary"
• HistoryNet "Penicillin: Wonder Drug of WWII"
• The Atlantic "What Americans Don't Know About Their Medications"
• FDA "FDA updates warnings for oral and injectable fluoroquinolone antibiotics due to disabling side affects"
• American Chemical Society "Discovery and Development of Penicillin"
• MN Department of Health "About MRSA"

Support the show!

• Buy Me a Coffee
• Venmo @Shea-LaFountaine

Chapters

1. Ep. 62 Antibiotics: How This Accidental Discovery Changed the World Forever (00:00:00)

2. [Ad] The Family Histories Podcast (00:18:58)

3. (Cont.) Ep. 62 Antibiotics: How This Accidental Discovery Changed the World Forever (00:18:59)