EPISODE · May 23, 2026 · 19 MIN
The Mold That Saved the World
from The Breaking Point · host Podcaster
In 1928, Alexander Fleming returned from vacation to find his bacterial cultures ruined by a stray mold—and nearly threw away what would become penicillin. This is the story of how one man's messy lab habits led to the antibiotic revolution, and why the scientists who actually made penicillin a reality remained in Fleming's shadow for decades. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
What this episode covers
In 1928, Alexander Fleming returned from vacation to find his bacterial cultures ruined by a stray mold—and nearly threw away what would become penicillin. This is the story of how one man's messy lab habits led to the antibiotic revolution, and why the scientists who actually made penicillin a reality remained in Fleming's shadow for decades.
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The Mold That Saved the World
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