If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the ...

In 19th-century France, the young chemist challenged the theory of spontaneous generation and discovered an invisible world of airborne microbes. Credit...Antoine Maillard Supported by By Carl Zimmer ...

MR. RAY LANKESTER'S letter in last week's NATURE affords fresh evidence of his lack of acquaintance with the several stages through which the “spontaneous generation” controversy has passed, or he ...

IF there is one thing more curious than another in the “Spontaneous Generation” theory, it is the way in which so-called matters of fact, as proved by careful experiment, are brought forward by the ...

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in ...