The Evolution of Developmental Biology

In the 1930s and 40s, American biologists Harold Burr and Elmer Lund measured electric properties of various organisms during their embryonic development. They weren't able to prove a link, but Levin says they were moving in the right direction. In 1952, he published a paper suggesting that body patterns like pigmented spots on zebra stripes arise from the chemical reactions of diffusing substances. But organic explanations like morphogens and bioelectricity didn't stay in the limelight for long.