Was World War 1 of the causes of the discovery of penicillin?

Answer 1

World War I was probably not much of a factor in the discovery of penicillin. The man most associated with the discovery is Alexander Fleming who did not make his discovery until 1928. The first cures using penicillin were effected in the 1930's. World War I ran from 1914-1918. Others had observed some of the infection inhibiting of penicillium molds previously but there was no organized research or effort to develop them as medical cures. The one way World War I might have have had en impact on the development of penicillin is that Fleming served as a Captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps where he observed many of the soldiers dying from infection in their wounds. Seeing them dying from the infections undoubtedly motivated him to actively search for anti-bacterial agents.