Hi, Thomas here. You're listening to a preview episode. You can enjoy the entire story tonight

by subscribing to our supporters' feed. There you'll get access to the entire back

catalogue, bonus episodes, and more, and it's all completely ad-free. Click the link below

to learn more, and thank you so so much, me and the team really appreciate your support.

Over the years, Penicillin has saved innumerable lives and changed the course of history as we know it.

But this miracle drug, heralded as the world's first antibiotic, was invented completely by accident.

We'll begin by taking a closer look at the mistake maker himself, Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming.

He was born in 1881 in Darval, Airshare, Scotland as the seventh of eight children. The son of a

farmer, his childhood was every bit as rural as you might expect. He spent many happy hours

roaming through the countryside with his siblings, nurturing a fondness and respect for the natural

world that would last a lifetime. At school, Alec, as his family called him, showcased obvious

academic potential. He was awarded a scholarship to learn at Kilmarnock Academy and enrolled there

in 1894. In 1895, he moved over 400 miles away to London. His older brother, Tom, was already

studying medicine there and would eventually open up his own oculus to practice.

Alec continued his own education there at the Royal Polytechnic Institution in Regent Street.

Then, he spent four years working at a shipping office, a job that paid the bills,

but didn't exactly inspire him much. It wasn't until 1901 that he began to seriously consider his

options. Having received a £250 inheritance following his uncle's death, he was able to quit his

job and return to his studies. Encouraged by his brother, Tom, whose practice in London was thriving,

Alec figured a career in medicine seemed like the natural choice. And so, he enrolled at St Mary's

Hospital Medical School. He graduated with distinction in 1906 and later earned a gold medal,

recognising him as a top medical student. When he finished his studies, he initially hoped to

...