In 1859, Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. This work introduced his theory of evolution by natural selection, a process that he had developed during years of research and observation. The book was an instant bestseller and remains one of the most influential works in biology to this day.
The basic idea behind Darwin’s theory is that all organisms have the potential to produce more offspring than can survive to adulthood. This results in a competition for survival, with those best adapted to their environment more likely to survive and reproduce. Over time, this process can lead to changes in a population’s genetic makeup, allowing new species to emerge.
Although Darwin’s ideas were initially met with skepticism, they gained widespread acceptance after being supported by subsequent research. Today, evolution by natural selection is considered one of the cornerstones of modern biology, and its importance has been recognized by scientists across many disciplines.