On this day in 1928, Alexander Fleming notices a bacteria-killing mold growing in his laboratory, discovering what later became known as penicillin. This was the first antibiotic substance discovered. His discovery in 1928 of what was later named benzylpenicillin (or penicillin G) from the mould Penicillium rubens has been described as the “single greatest victory ever achieved over disease”.
Fleming was knighted for his scientific achievements in 1944. In 1999, he was named in Time magazine’s list of the 100 Most Important People of the 20th century. In 2002, he was included in the BBC’s television poll of the 100 Greatest Britons, and in 2009, he was also voted third “greatest Scot” in an opinion poll conducted by STV, behind only Robert Burns and William Wallace.
Fleming in his laboratory, 1943
Today is the birthday, in 1938, of Ben E King, (Benjmin Earl Nelson), soul and R&B singer with The Drifters who had the 1960 US No.1 & UK No.2 single ‘Save The Last Dance For Me’, and the 1987 UK No.1 solo single ‘Stand By Me’, (first released in 1961). King died at the Hackensack University Medical Center on April 30, 2015, at the age of 76. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTd2ylacYNU
