In 1847, Hungarian doctor, Ignaz Semmelweis, tried to introduce the radical practice of hand washing prior to treating patients at his obstetrical ward in Vienna.
Believe it or not, doctors resisted not only the notion their hands were dirty – they also resisted evidence that hand washing had reduced the death rate in the clinic.
While it’s puzzling that doctors dismissed potentially lifesaving information, researchers who study the history of science say that innovation isn’t necessarily linear or logical.
On this episode of NPR’s Hidden Brain, explore how innovation and information are spread in the scientific world. Give it a listen here, and let us know what you think!