5. The Discovery of Insulin (1921)
Before insulin was discovered, a diagnosis of diabetes—especially type 1—was often a death sentence. In 1921, Frederick Banting and Charles Best isolated insulin, offering a lifeline to millions worldwide. With insulin therapy, diabetes shifted from a rapidly fatal disease to a manageable chronic condition. This breakthrough not only saved lives but also inspired ongoing advances in diabetes care. As Diabetes UK notes, Banting and Best’s work remains a defining moment in the history of medicine.
