Reel 113M

Debut: An ambitious five-part survey of major scientific breakthroughs of the 20th century. The 100-year journey begins with early advances in medical care. "At the start of the century, we could cure almost nothing," notes host Charles Osgood. "Now we expect to be cured of almost everything." Profiles include researchers Frederick Banting, Charles Best and J.B. Collip, who endured years of failures and quarrels before successfully developing insulin; and Alexander Fleming, whose chance 1929 discovery of a mold eventually led to the antibiotic penicillin. Also: the ongoing challenge of providing medical technology on a global basis.

series: SCIENCE ODYSSEY; Part 1: MATTERS OF LIFE AND DEATH; Debut: An ambitious five-part survey of major scientific breakthroughs of the 20th century. The 100-year journey begins with early advances in medical care. "At the start of the century, we could cure almost nothing," notes host Charles Osgood. "Now we expect to be cured of almost everything." Profiles include researchers Frederick Banting, Charles Best and J.B. Collip, who endured years of failures and quarrels before successfully developing insulin; and Alexander Fleming, whose chance 1929 discovery of a mold eventually led to the antibiotic penicillin. Also: the ongoing challenge of providing medical technology on a global basis. (2:00)

Debut: An ambitious five-part survey of major scientific breakthroughs of the 20th century. The 100-year journey begins with early advances in medical care. "At the start of the century, we could cure almost nothing," notes host Charles Osgood. "Now we expect to be cured of almost everything." Profiles include researchers Frederick Banting, Charles Best and J.B. Collip, who endured years of failures and quarrels before successfully developing insulin; and Alexander Fleming, whose chance 1929 discovery of a mold eventually led to the antibiotic penicillin. Also: the ongoing challenge of providing medical technology on a global basis. (2:00)