Who invented vitamin Abcd? Unraveling the Myth

January 13, 2026 •

4 min read

The idea that a single inventor created a vitamin named "abcd" is a common misconception, as vitamins were discovered over a period of decades by multiple scientists. No single individual invented "vitamin Abcd," but rather, a series of breakthroughs in the early 20th century led to the identification of various essential micronutrients, including vitamins A, B, and C.

Quick Summary

The concept of "vitamin Abcd" is a myth; vitamins were discovered individually over time through the work of many researchers. Casimir Funk coined the term "vitamine," and Elmer McCollum is credited with discovering vitamin A, along with other critical nutritional factors.

Key Points

No Inventor of 'Vitamin Abcd': The concept of a single vitamin named "abcd" is incorrect; vitamins were discovered individually over time through scientific research.
Casimir Funk Coined 'Vitamine': In 1912, Polish biochemist Casimir Funk coined the term "vitamine" (later shortened to vitamin) to describe essential food factors.
Elmer McCollum Discovered Vitamin A: American biochemist Elmer McCollum and his colleague Marguerite Davis are credited with discovering vitamin A in 1913 through rat experiments.
Vitamins Have Specific Functions: Modern science understands that different vitamins have distinct chemical structures and unique biochemical roles, such as serving as coenzymes or antioxidants.
Discovery was a Collaborative Effort: The identification and isolation of the 13 known vitamins involved many scientists over several decades, not a single inventor.
The Alphabetical System is Not Sequential: The letter-based naming system (A, B, C, etc.) was a result of the order of discovery, but not a sequential progression, with gaps in the alphabet explained by later reclassification.

The notion of a single person inventing a specific vitamin named 'Abcd' is a misunderstanding of how scientific discovery works, particularly in the field of nutrition. The history of vitamins is a story of collaboration, observation, and meticulous research, with credit belonging to a host of epidemiologists, chemists, and physiologists. Different vitamins were identified and isolated at different times, and no single person can lay claim to inventing them all.

The Concept of 'Vitamine' and Early Pioneers

Casimir Funk: Coiner of the term 'vitamine'

In 1912, Polish-born biochemist Casimir Funk proposed the existence of essential food factors that could prevent diseases like beriberi and scurvy. From his work with rice husks and beriberi, he isolated a complex of micronutrients and coined the term “vitamine”—a portmanteau of “vital” and “amine”—because he mistakenly thought they were all amines. While not all vitamins turned out to be amines, the name stuck, with the 'e' later being dropped. Funk's hypothesis fundamentally changed how scientists viewed nutrition, paving the way for the discovery of individual vitamins.

Frederick Gowland Hopkins and 'Accessory Factors'

Working in parallel with Funk's research, English biochemist Frederick Gowland Hopkins independently concluded that certain 'accessory food factors' present in tiny amounts were necessary for life. His work in 1906 and subsequent studies with rats helped to establish the concept of essential nutrients beyond just fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. For his contributions, Hopkins shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1929.

Elmer McCollum: Discoverer of Vitamin A

American biochemist Elmer McCollum is widely credited with discovering vitamin A in 1913, along with his colleague Marguerite Davis. Through experiments with rats, McCollum observed that a substance present in butterfat and egg yolks, but not in lard or olive oil, was essential for growth. He named this substance "fat-soluble A". The discovery was a major step forward, and McCollum's work also led to the discovery of vitamin B and D, though he is primarily remembered for his work on vitamin A.

The Timeline and Identification of Key Vitamins

Scientific discoveries rarely happen in isolation, and the history of vitamins is filled with competing claims and stepwise progress. The identification and synthesis of each vitamin involved multiple researchers building on previous work. For example, while McCollum and Davis discovered vitamin A in 1913, Paul Karrer described its chemical structure in 1932, and it was first synthesized in 1947.

Here is a timeline highlighting some major milestones in vitamin discovery:

1912: Casimir Funk coins the term "vitamine".
1913: Elmer McCollum and Marguerite Davis discover "fat-soluble A," later named vitamin A.
1915: McCollum and Davis identify "water-soluble B," later known as the B-vitamin complex.
1922: Herbert Evans and Katherine Bishop discover vitamin E.
1922: Edward Mellanby shows a fat-soluble substance prevents rickets, later identified as vitamin D.
1931: Albert Szent-Györgyi isolates hexuronic acid, which Charles Glen King identifies as vitamin C.

Comparison: Early Nutritional Theories vs. Modern Vitamin Knowledge

The shift from early nutritional hypotheses to today's detailed understanding of vitamins is profound. The following table compares key aspects of early and modern perspectives.


Feature	Early Nutritional Theories (c. 1900)	Modern Vitamin Knowledge (2020s)
View of Nutrients	A few broad categories: proteins, fats, carbs, minerals.	Many distinct, essential micronutrients (vitamins) with specific roles.
Cause of Deficiency Disease	Often attributed to infections or toxins, not nutritional lack.	Caused by the absence or insufficient intake of specific vitamins.
Naming Convention	Coined as "vitamines" based on a mistaken chemical assumption.	Standardized alphabetical and chemical names, reflecting distinct structures.
Mechanism of Action	Vague understanding; thought to be "accessory factors".	Well-defined biochemical roles, such as coenzymes, antioxidants, or hormones.
Role of Supplements	Early belief in supplements, but often without full scientific backing.	Widespread availability, but often viewed as supplemental to a balanced diet.
Key Researchers	Casimir Funk, Frederick Gowland Hopkins, Christiaan Eijkman.	A global community of researchers; Nobel prizes awarded to many contributors.

The Aftermath and Legacy of Vitamin Discoveries

The discoveries of Funk, McCollum, and others revolutionized nutrition and public health. For centuries, diseases like scurvy and beriberi were mysterious, but the identification of vitamins provided clear pathways for prevention and treatment. Food fortification, where vitamins are added to common foods, became a major public health strategy. Products like vitamin-enriched flour, milk, and cereals helped eradicate deficiency diseases in many parts of the world.

The legacy of these discoveries also led to the vitamin supplement industry. While some scientists like McCollum were initially wary of supplements, believing a balanced diet was sufficient, the market for vitamin pills exploded. This shift, from mysterious dietary factors to mass-produced pills, profoundly changed how modern society thinks about nutrition and health. The ongoing debate about the benefits of supplements versus dietary intake continues to this day.

Conclusion

The notion that a single individual invented a 'vitamin Abcd' is inaccurate and a simplification of a complex scientific history. The discovery of vitamins was a gradual, collaborative process involving numerous scientists, including Casimir Funk, who coined the term 'vitamine,' and Elmer McCollum, who isolated vitamin A. The story of vitamins is a testament to the power of scientific inquiry and its ability to transform our understanding of health, nutrition, and disease prevention.

Frequently Asked Questions

The history of vitamins dates back to the early 20th century, spurred by research into deficiency diseases like beriberi and scurvy. It was a collaborative process involving many scientists, leading to the identification of 13 essential vitamins between 1910 and 1948.

Casimir Funk was a Polish biochemist considered the "father of vitamin therapy". He is famous for coining the term "vitamine" in 1912 and for his work on deficiency diseases.

American biochemist Elmer McCollum and his assistant Marguerite Davis discovered vitamin A in 1913 while studying the effects of different fats on rat growth.

The idea of a vitamin named "abcd" is a misconception because vitamins were discovered as separate, individual compounds, not as a single collective entity. The alphabetical naming convention was a way to categorize different discoveries.

No, vitamins were discovered by many different scientists and research teams over a period of several decades. The process was incremental and involved contributions from various fields of science.

Casimir Funk originally named the compounds "vitamines" because he believed they were all amines. When it was later discovered that many were not, the 'e' was dropped from the name to create the word "vitamin".

Early supplements, such as extracts, were available before the formal discovery of vitamins, often promoted based on anecdotal evidence or incomplete understanding. However, the modern supplement industry was born from the scientific identification and synthesis of specific vitamins.