Top 10 Most Important Discoveries

Summary

In this 'Most Amazing Top Ten' episode, Danny Burke explores the ten most significant discoveries in human history. From the revolutionary impact of anesthesia and electricity to the life-saving breakthroughs of germ theory and vaccination, the video delves into how these innovations have shaped our world. It also covers the deciphering of Egyptian hieroglyphs with the Rosetta Stone, the heliocentric theory, the discovery of the 'Taung Child' fossil, and the monumental unveiling of DNA's structure. Finally, it highlights the miraculous discovery of penicillin, emphasizing its unparalleled role in saving lives.

Takeaways

• 💉 Anesthesia was discovered in 1801 by Humphrey Davy and revolutionized surgery by providing pain relief and sedation.
• 💡 Electricity's understanding began in the 17th century, with significant advancements by Benjamin Franklin and the invention of the light bulb, illuminating and powering the modern world.
• 🦠 Germ theory, proposed by Louis Pasteur in 1856, explained the spread of diseases and spoilage, leading to sterilization techniques and pasteurization of milk.
• 📜 The Rosetta Stone, found in 1799, allowed for the translation of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, opening a window into a long-lost civilization.
• 👁️ Fingerprints have been used for identification since the late 19th century, greatly enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of criminal investigations.
• 🌍 The heliocentric theory, supported by Copernicus in the 16th century, placed the Sun, not the Earth, at the center of the solar system, a fundamental shift in our understanding of the cosmos.
• 🦴 The discovery of the 'Taung Child' fossil in 1924 provided evidence for human evolution from apes and supported Darwin's theory of origin from Africa.
• 🛡️ Vaccination, pioneered by Edward Jenner in 1794, has saved countless lives by preventing diseases like smallpox and measles.
• 🧬 The structure of DNA was discovered by Francis Crick and James Watson in 1953, unlocking the genetic code that guides life and paving the way for genetic medicine.
• 💊 Penicillin, discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928, marked the beginning of antibiotic use, saving millions of lives by combating bacterial infections.

Q & A

What was the main topic of the video presented by Danny Burke?

The main topic of the video is the top ten most important discoveries ever made by humans.

What was the significance of the discovery of anesthesia in medical history?

Anesthesia allowed for painless surgeries and procedures, which was revolutionary as it made minor operations bearable and surgeries possible without extreme suffering.

Who is credited with the discovery of nitrous oxide, and what were its initial effects on him?

English scientist Humphrey Davy is credited with the discovery of nitrous oxide. Initially, it caused him to experience euphoria, laughter, crying, and then he passed out.

How did the understanding of electricity evolve from the 17th century to the invention of the light bulb?

The understanding of electricity began in the 17th century with the invention of an early electrostatic generator and the distinction between positive and negative currents. This knowledge was expanded upon by Benjamin Franklin's experiments with kites and lightning, eventually leading to the invention of the light bulb.

What was the germ theory, and how did it change our understanding of diseases and food spoilage?

The germ theory, proposed by Louis Pasteur, suggested that microscopic organisms, or germs, are present in the air and can cause diseases and spoil food. This theory revolutionized hygiene practices and our understanding of disease transmission and food preservation.

What was the significance of the Rosetta Stone in deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics?

The Rosetta Stone, discovered in 1799, contained a decree written in both hieroglyphics and Greek. Since Greek was a known language, scholars were able to use it as a key to translate and understand ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics.

How did the use of fingerprints as a form of identification come about?

The use of fingerprints for identification began with William Herschel in India, who used them alongside signatures in contracts. Later, Argentine police official Juan Vucetich started using them to identify criminals, which greatly improved the accuracy of criminal identification.

What was the heliocentric theory, and how did it change our understanding of the solar system?

The heliocentric theory, proposed by Nicolaus Copernicus, stated that the Sun, not the Earth, was the center of the solar system. This theory changed our understanding of the solar system and was a significant shift from the previously accepted geocentric model.

What was the significance of the discovery of the 'Taung Child' fossil?

The 'Taung Child' fossil, discovered in 1924, was a key piece of evidence supporting the theory of evolution, showing a transitional state between ancient apes and modern humans. It was dated to be 2.8 million years old and supported the idea that humans originated from Africa.

How did the discovery of vaccination contribute to public health?

The discovery of vaccination, pioneered by Edward Jenner, introduced a method to prevent diseases by introducing a mild form of the disease, such as cowpox, to make individuals resistant to more severe diseases like smallpox. This has saved millions of lives and is a cornerstone of modern immunization practices.

What was the importance of the discovery of the DNA structure by Francis Crick and James Watson?

The discovery of the DNA structure by Crick and Watson was a monumental breakthrough as it revealed the molecular basis of heredity and life. Understanding DNA's structure allowed for advancements in genetics, the development of new treatments for genetic diseases, and the mapping of the human genome.

Why is penicillin considered one of the most important discoveries in medical history?

Penicillin, discovered by Alexander Fleming, was the first antibiotic and has saved countless lives by treating bacterial infections that were previously untreatable. Its discovery marked the beginning of the era of antibiotics in medicine.

Outlines

00:00

🧠 Top Ten Most Important Discoveries in History

Danny Burke introduces a top ten list of the most crucial discoveries in human history. Starting with anesthesia, discovered by Humphrey Davy in 1801, which revolutionized surgery by providing pain relief. Electricity, fundamental to modern life, was better understood in the 17th century, leading to inventions like the light bulb. Germ theory, proposed by Louis Pasteur in 1856, explained the spread of diseases and decay, leading to sterilization techniques. The Rosetta Stone's discovery in 1799 unlocked the translation of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. Fingerprints, unique to each individual, were first used for identification in contracts by William Herschel and later by Juan Vucetich in criminal investigations. The heliocentric theory, supported by Copernicus in the 16th century, changed our understanding of the solar system's structure.

05:01

🌟 Groundbreaking Discoveries: From Evolution to DNA

The discovery of the 'Taung Child' fossil in 1924 provided evidence supporting human evolution from apes and Darwin's theory of African origin. Vaccination, pioneered by Edward Jenner in 1874, has saved millions of lives by preventing diseases like smallpox. The structure of DNA was unveiled by Francis Crick and James Watson in 1953, a milestone in understanding genetics and paving the way for medical advancements. Penicillin, discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928, marked a turning point in treating bacterial infections, saving countless lives. The video concludes with a prompt for viewers to share their thoughts on the most important discovery and to subscribe for more content.

Keywords

💡Anesthesia

Anesthesia refers to a medically induced state of temporary loss of sensation or awareness, used primarily during surgery to prevent pain. In the video, it is highlighted as a significant discovery made by Humphrey Davy in 1801, who found that nitrous oxide could numb pain and induce unconsciousness, revolutionizing surgical procedures by making them bearable.

💡Electricity

Electricity is a fundamental property of the universe that can be harnessed to power devices and light up spaces. The video discusses its discovery and understanding in the 17th century, leading to inventions like the electrostatic generator and the light bulb. It emphasizes the role of electricity in modern life, from powering homes to charging phones.

💡Germ Theory

Germ Theory is the scientific concept that microscopic organisms, or germs, are responsible for causing diseases and spoiling food. The video credits Louis Pasteur with advancing this theory in 1856, demonstrating that bacteria exist in the environment and can be controlled through sterilization, which has profound implications for public health and disease prevention.

💡Rosetta Stone

The Rosetta Stone is an artifact discovered in 1799 that enabled scholars to decipher Egyptian hieroglyphs. The video explains its significance in the field of linguistics and history, as the stone's inscriptions in three scripts, including Greek, allowed for the translation of ancient Egyptian texts, unlocking the secrets of a long-lost civilization.

💡Fingerprints

Fingerprints are unique patterns on the fingertips of humans that have been used for identification purposes. The video mentions William Herschel's use of fingerprints in contracts and Juan Vucetich's application in criminal identification, illustrating how this discovery transformed the justice system by providing a reliable method for linking individuals to crimes.

💡Heliocentric Theory

Heliocentric Theory is the astronomical model that positions the Sun, rather than the Earth, at the center of the solar system. The video discusses Nicolaus Copernicus's pivotal role in the 16th century, challenging the long-held geocentric view and laying the groundwork for modern astronomy, despite facing opposition from institutions like the Catholic Church.

💡Evolution

Evolution refers to the process by which different kinds of living organisms have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the Earth. The video specifically mentions the discovery of the 'Taung Child,' a fossilized primate that provided evidence supporting the theory of human evolution from African apes, as proposed by Charles Darwin.

💡Vaccination

Vaccination is the process of administering vaccines to create immunity to infectious diseases. The video recounts Edward Jenner's pioneering work with cowpox to protect against smallpox in 1794, which marked the beginning of vaccination as a medical practice, saving countless lives by preventing the spread of deadly diseases.

💡DNA

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the molecule that carries the genetic instructions for the development, functioning, and reproduction of all living organisms. The video highlights the groundbreaking work of Francis Crick and James Watson in 1953, who discovered the double helix structure of DNA, a discovery that has led to profound advancements in genetics and medicine.

💡Penicillin

Penicillin is a group of antibiotics derived from Penicillium fungi, which was first discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928. The video emphasizes its role as a life-saving drug, as it was the first antibiotic capable of treating a wide range of bacterial infections, marking a significant milestone in the fight against infectious diseases.

Highlights

Anesthesia was discovered in 1801 by Humphrey Davy, who found nitrous oxide could numb pain and was instrumental for surgeries.

Electricity revolutionized the world, with early understanding in the 17th century and significant advancements by Benjamin Franklin and the invention of the light bulb.

Germ theory, proposed by Louis Pasteur in 1856, explained how diseases spread and the importance of sterilization.

The Rosetta Stone, discovered in 1799, enabled the translation of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics.

Fingerprints, used as a form of identification since the late 19th century, revolutionized the justice system.

Heliocentric theory by Copernicus in the 16th century changed the understanding of the solar system's structure.

The discovery of the 'Taung Child' fossil in 1924 provided evidence for human evolution from apes.

Vaccination, pioneered by Edward Jenner in 1794, has saved millions of lives by preventing diseases like smallpox.

The DNA double helix structure, discovered by Francis Crick and James Watson in 1953, is the foundation of modern biology.

Penicillin, discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928, has saved countless lives as the first antibiotic.

The importance of anesthesia in making surgeries pain-free and its discovery by Davy.

The historical progression of understanding electricity and its role in modern conveniences.

Pasteur's germ theory and its impact on disease prevention and food preservation.

The Rosetta Stone's role in deciphering ancient Egyptian language.

The implementation of fingerprinting for identification and its impact on the criminal justice system.

Copernicus's heliocentric theory and its challenge to the geocentric model of the universe.

The significance of the 'Taung Child' fossil in understanding human evolution.

Jenner's development of the smallpox vaccine and its profound effect on public health.

Crick and Watson's DNA model and its implications for genetics and medicine.

Fleming's accidental discovery of penicillin and its role in shaping modern medicine.

Transcripts

my name's Danny Burke and my brain is

buzzing for this video we've got a very

brainy video for you guys today this is

most amazing top ten and today we're

gonna be talking about the top ten most

important discoveries ever that's right

folks some of you guys might think the

discovering this YouTube channel was the

greatest discovery in human history

apparently not apparently we'd be

talking about some of the greatest

discoveries that humans have ever made

and we're gonna jump right into this

like we always do that number 10 we're

gonna be talking about anesthesia

without anesthesia to stop the pain of

surgery or put patients to sleep

altogether every minor operation we take

for granted today will be one of the

most painful things imaginable it was

discovered in 1801 by English scientist

Humphrey Davy who was experimenting with

different mixes of gases when he

combined nitrogen and oxygen to make

nitrous oxide when he inhaled this he

experienced euphoria started laughing

then crying and then passed out it

sounds like an average Friday night for

me when he kept experimenting with it he

also found that it made him completely

numb to pain so he recommended this for

dentists and doctors and the rest of

world was like this is great we like

this good stuff and number nine we've

got electricity now this one

revolutionized the world and brought you

many of the home comforts that you guys

take for granted it almost literally

brought us from the dark into the light

now electricity has obviously existed as

a fundamental property of the universe

since the dawn of time but it's hard to

say when humans discovered it because

there's a lot of examples of them

knowing what it was throughout history

but it's fair to say we really started

to understand in the way we do today

sometime in a 17th century it was then

that scientists invented an early

electrostatic generator knew the

difference between positive and negative

currents and the properties of

electrical conductors and insulators and

then came Benjamin Franklin with his

kite and lightning and then came the

light bulb and then the rest is history

it changed the world and it charges my

phone that's why it's on our list

now number eight we've got germ theory

before the theory of germs was proposed

nobody seemed to have a clear

understanding

of how diseases were spread or food

became spoiled and rotten then in 1856

Louis Pasteur came along and said that

microscopic organisms that we now call

germs are floating everywhere around us

in the air

undetectable to the human eye he proved

the bacteria didn't just spawn randomly

and instead existed all around us

waiting to multiply and feed on decaying

matter

Louis Pasteur also showed that

sterilizing objects could stop bacteria

from growing on them which is a good

thing for stopping disease he also

invented a technique for removing

bacteria from liquid foods such as milk

so next time you have pasteurized milk

it's named after him come here number

seven we got the rosetta stone now the

ability to read and write ancient

Egyptian hieroglyphics have been lost

some 1500 years ago

historians had to largely get a what

hieroglyphics meant until the discovery

of the Rosetta Stone in 1799 by French

soldiers in Egypt made of black granite

was as a stone contained a decree on

behalf of the Egyptian King Ptolemy

v over 2,000 years ago the top was the

confusing hieroglyphics where the bottom

was an almost identical tax written in

Greek and guess what people did know how

to read Greek so they were able to

translate every single last piece of

ancient Egyptian writing just because of

one stone free cool stuff as I'm a sixth

now we've got fingerprints now humans

have known that their fingerprints were

different from one another for hundreds

of years but it wasn't until William

Herschel a British administrator in

India started using them alongside

signatures in contracts that people

began to implement fingerprinting as a

form of ID then an Argentine police

official called Juan Vucetich started

using them to identify criminals and

this discovery revolutionized the

justice system within a few years people

weren't just identifying criminals by

bay descriptions of their faces

fingerprinting meant it was a lot lot

easier to tie a criminal to a crime good

stuff at number five we're gonna be

talking about the discovery that the

earth goes round the Sun otherwise known

as the heliocentric theory for thousands

of years people thought that the earth

was the center of the solar system until

this guy capper

came along in the first half of the 16th

century and proved through a meticulous

scientific method that the observation

of the planets movements only made sense

if the Sun was the center of the solar

system and not the earth nowadays we

take you for granted that the earth

isn't the center of the solar system the

Batman people didn't really like it

especially the Catholic Church it went

against pretty much everything that

people thought at the time so it was a

very big discovery coming into the fore

now we've got evolution or more

specifically the discovery of the to

hang child this was a nickname given to

the remains of a fossilized primate

found in 1924 it was discovered at a

quarry site in South Africa and was

eventually identified as belonging to a

member of a species that was in a

transition state between ancient Apes

and modern day humans it was dated at

being an amazing 2.8 million years old

and was a key piece of evidence

improving Darwin right in his theory

that humans originated from Africa and

now in number three we've got

vaccination vaccination saving lives is

a well-known fact these days for example

the measles vaccination is estimated to

have saved 17 point 1 million lives

since the year 2000 it cannot be

understated how many diseases

vaccinations have to help prevent Edward

Jenner was an English surgeon who in

1874 noticed that milkmaids

often got the mild disease cow pox but

never the deadly disease of smallpox he

figured this means that they were in the

same family of diseases and catching cow

plops made you resistant to smallpox he

injected kids with a form of cow pox and

then injected them with a form of

smallpox afterwards and amazingly for

the first time in history none of them

died this paved the way for modern day

backs and nations and it proved his

theory correct but it was a pretty crazy

way of doing it at number 2 we got DNA

in 1953 biochemist Francis Crick and

James Watson were the people who created

the first accurate model of the

molecular structure deoxyribonucleic

acid otherwise known as DNA this was a

huge breakthrough in science as DNA is

the master code to how living organisms

are built operate and reproduce

discovering the properties and shape of

our own DNA on the molecular level

allowed scientists to develop cures for

many dead

diseases eventually this allowed

scientists to map out the entire human

genome which is basically the

instruction guide on how to build me or

you or literally any other human very

cool stuff and finally at number one we

have got penicillin now this one has

saved an immeasurable amount of life

since it was first discovered in 1928 by

47 year-old Alexander Fleming he grew

bacteria in small glass plates to study

deadly diseases butts rule to stop mold

from getting in there and contaminating

it when you return to his lab one day

from a trip he found that one of his

dishes of bacteria had failed to grow a

type of mold called penicillium notatum

had found its way into the dish and it

stopped the growth of bacteria there

this might have been the most important

mold ever found because it was

eventually developed into the drugs

penicillin which has saved millions and

millions of lives and is the thing that

any doctor will give you if you get a

nasty infection well guys there you have

it there was some of the most important

discoveries ever made which one of you

guys think was the most important and do

you know any other important discoveries

whatever your thoughts are let's hear

them down below

but if discovering this channel it's

still the most important discovery

you've ever made them make sure you hit

that subscribe button so you can stay up

to date with all the content we have on

this channel also like and share it if

you did like it in the meantime thanks

watching most amazing top ten guys money

is Danny Burke and I'll see you guys

soon