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The most groundbreaking scientist you've never heard of - Addison Anderson

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Seventeenth-century Danish geologist Nicolas Steno earned his chops at a young age, studying cadavers and drawing anatomic connections between species. Steno made outsized contributions to the field of geology, influencing Charles Lyell, James Hutton and Charles Darwin. Addison Anderson recounts Steno’s little-known legacy and lauds his insistence on empiricism over blind theory.

Steno’s stratigraphy was a piece of the puzzle that led to the Theory of the Earth. Think of all you know about the earth’s geology. What are all the other small questions you need to answer before you get to your current understanding (however rough) of how the earth works?

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Addison Anderson
  • Animator Anton Bogaty
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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