Science has developed over thousands of years, driven by curiosity, observation, and experimentation. Certain key moments mark major advances that shaped human understanding of the natural world. Here are some of the most important milestones in the history of science.

1. Ancient Observations and Early Mathematics
Early civilizations, including the Egyptians, Babylonians, and Greeks, made systematic observations of nature. They developed calendars, basic geometry, and early astronomy, laying the groundwork for future scientific inquiry.

2. Greek Philosophy and Natural Inquiry
Philosophers such as Aristotle and Archimedes explored the principles of nature, from motion to mechanics. Their ideas combined logic and observation, creating a foundation for rational scientific thought.

3. The Scientific Revolution
The 16th and 17th centuries brought a radical shift in scientific thinking. Galileo Galilei, Johannes Kepler, and Isaac Newton emphasized experimentation and mathematical description, revolutionizing physics, astronomy, and the scientific method itself.

4. Advances in Chemistry
The 18th and 19th centuries saw chemistry become a formal science. Antoine Lavoisier identified chemical elements, introduced systematic naming, and established the law of conservation of mass, transforming chemistry into a rigorous discipline.

5. Theory of Evolution
Charles Darwin’s 19th-century theory of evolution by natural selection provided a scientific explanation for the diversity of life, reshaping biology and influencing fields ranging from genetics to ecology.

6. Discovery of Microorganisms
Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch revealed that microorganisms cause disease, leading to germ theory, vaccines, and improved public health. This discovery revolutionized medicine and the treatment of illness.

7. The Birth of Modern Physics
The early 20th century brought breakthroughs in relativity and quantum mechanics. Albert Einstein, Max Planck, and Niels Bohr challenged classical ideas, expanding our understanding of space, time, and matter.

8. Genetics and Molecular Biology
The discovery of DNA’s double-helix structure by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953 revolutionized biology. It paved the way for genetics, biotechnology, and the Human Genome Project.

9. Space Exploration
The mid-20th century marked humanity’s venture into space. Satellites, human spaceflight, and moon landings expanded our knowledge of the universe and inspired generations of scientists and engineers.

10. The Digital Revolution
Computers, the internet, and modern technology transformed how science is conducted, shared, and applied. Data analysis, simulations, and global collaboration accelerated discovery across all fields of science.