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Redi's experiment
Redi's experiment, challenged spontaneous generation by demonstrating that larvae did not emerge from meat, but rather came from fly eggs. Three jars with meat showed that only where the flies could reach, there were larvae, refuting the idea of spontaneous creation. -
Francesco Redi
Francesco Redi, born on February 18 of1626 in Italy. He studied parasitic animals and the venom of snakes and did scientific works on them but was known for his experiment of spontaneous generations. -
Needham's rebuttal
Scientist John Needham attempted to disprove Redi's theory by conducting experiments with boiling and sealing broths. He observed the appearance of microorganisms, arguing that it demonstrated spontaneous generation. -
John Needham
John Turberville Needham, was born on September 10 of 1713 in London. In 1768 he was chosen to be a member of the Royal Society of London, and was the first Catholic priest to be so. -
Criticism from Spallanzani
Lazzaro Spallanzani criticized John Needham's experiments on spontaneous generation by demonstrating that prolonged boiling and hermetic sealing prevented the appearance of microorganisms. His findings supported Francesco Redi's theory. Proving that spontaneous generation is impossible. -
Lazzaro Spallanzani
Lazzaro Spallanzani, born on January 12 of 1729 in Italy. He was a biologist and at the same time a Catholic priest. He was also professor of physics and mathematics at the University of Reggio Emilia, and of logic, Greek and metaphysics in Modena and of natural sciences in Pavia. -
Pasteur's Swan Neck Flask Experiment
Louis Pasteur performed a decisive experiment that put an end to the theory of spontaneous generation. He used flasks with curved goosenecks that allowed air circulation but prevented the entry of microorganisms. Pasteur boiled broths, demonstrating that no microorganisms appeared while the neck remained intact. However, by breaking the swan neck, the broths became contaminated and developed microbial life. -
Louis Pasteur
Louis Pasteur, born the 27th of December 1822 in Marnes-la-Coquette. He was a French microbiologist and chemist. Known for its first rabies vaccine.