The Penicillin Discoveries of Alexander Fleming and Mary Hunt

In 1929, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin by noticing a mold excreting a substance that inhibited bacterial growth. Researchers worldwide tried to isolate potent strains, but struggled to industrialize production until Mary Hunt found a moldy cantaloupe in Illinois, leading to the discovery of penicillin chrysogenum producing six times more penicillin. The United States had an advantage with corn steep liquor for mass production, unlike the Germans whose factory got bombed. Penicillin development by the Japanese also played a crucial role in saving hundreds of millions of lives.