Louis Pasteur- A name oblivious to many of us but still used on a day-to-day basis. The man, Pasteur, is known for his discovery of vaccination, microbial fermentation and pasteurisation.
Known as “father of microbiology”, he has made significant discoveries in the field of chemistry too.
He once said, “Science knows no country, because knowledge belongs to humanity, and is the torch which illuminates the world.”
Let us know some more interesting fact about the life of this French Chemist.
1. Building Blocks of Life
Pasteur showed that otherwise identical molecules could exist as mirror images (or ‘left’ and ‘right-handed’ versions.) He noticed that molecules produced by living things were always left-handed which lead to being the foundation stone for microbiology.
Source: bbc.co.uk, Image: scienceheads.com
2. Disapproved of Age-Long Theory
For numerous years, people thought life appeared spontaneously, that fleas grew from dust, or maggots from dead flesh. Pasteur finally disproved this theory and showed that food went off because of contamination by micron in the air. He went on to argue that these could cause disease. This also lead to his “germ theory”.
Source: bbc.co.uk, Image: foodstoxicity.com
3. Wine That You Relish
All over the Europe the biggest problem was how to save the wine, when Pasteur realised this was due to contamination. He noticed that boiling wine to kill bacteria made it taste terrible. In a series of experiments, Pasteur discovered that heating wine to 55 degrees killed bacteria without ruining the taste. This process, later named as pasteurisation, saved the wine industry. Today, it’s widely used to keep food free from disease.
He once said, “A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world.”
Source: bbc.co.uk, Image: wikipedia
4. Mysterious Silkworm Disease
After protecting the Wine Industry, He worked out on protecting the Silk Industry. He studied that infection was transmitted by parasites, and showed how infected worms should be isolated and destroyed.
Source: bbc.co.uk, Image: animarsareus.com
5. Paralysis
When Pasteur was just 45 years of age, he suffered from a stroke which resulted in paralysis of the left side of h is body. His colleagues though, set up a mobile laboratory so that he could work from his sick bed.
Source: bbc.co.uk, Image: wikipedia
6. Lost Daughter to Germs
In 1859, Pasteur lost his daughter to typhoid- a disease caused by consuming contaminated food and water.
Source: bbc.co.uk, Image: youtube
7. Then Another Daughter
He lost another daughter of his because of the same reason in 1865.
Source: bbc.co.uk, Image: youtube
8. Chicken Cholera
Pasteur injected some bacteria into his chickens. The birds fell ill, but unexpectedly did not die. As a result though, they were resistant to fresh cholera injections. Pasteur realised that weakened strains of a disease could help animals develop immunity.
Source: bbc.co.uk, Image: peopleofhistory.com
9. Anthrax
Anthrax is fatal to human beings and can easily wipe off an entire farm full of animals. Louis announced the vaccination for the disease after the German scientist Robert Koch foudn the bacteria which is responsible for Anthrax.
Source: bbc.co.uk, Image: peopletoknow.com
10. Turning Attention To Dogs
Pasteur turned his attention to rabies soon afterwards. He made a vaccination for dogs but was unsure of testing it on humans until he found Joseph Meister, a boy bitten by a rabid animal.
Source: bbc.co.uk, Image: pinterest
11. Pasteur Institute
Founded by Louis Pasteur, this institute was a landmark in the expansion in the research of infectious diseases.
Source: bbc.co.uk, Image: cnn.co.uk
12. Prestigious French Order
In honour of his work and influential contributions, Pasteur was made a Grand Croix of the Legion of Honor, a prestigious French order.
Source: sciencekids.co.nz, Image: youtube
13. Close At Hand (Literally)
He never, ever shook hands with anybody, even royalty. He was way too scared of catching any diseases.
Source: famouscsientists.co.uk, Image: youtube
