Pioneering contributions are frequently overlooked or even forgotten in our ‘post-modern’ era. This applies in a special
way to the LAB and their key position in early microbiological studies in the 19th century. The second part of the 19th
century is characterized by the advent of microbiology as a science. It is fascinating to note that some of the earliest
studies on bacteria were conducted on various types of LAB, most of which were either of socio-economic or medical
importance during that time. Probably the first starter cultures to be applied for industrial purposes were introduced
in 1890, in Denmark, Germany and the USA, for the production of cheese and sour milk. This initiative laid the
foundation for the development of the diverse branches of industrial microbiology and modern biotechnology.