Who discovered ether and in what year?

The discovery of ether as an anesthetic is attributed to the use of it during surgical procedures in 1846 by John Collins Warren. This pivotal moment in medical history occurred when ether was used successfully at Massachusetts General Hospital to perform a surgery. This event marked a significant advancement in surgical practices, as it allowed for painless operations, transforming the experience and outcome for patients.

While ether's earliest properties were noted long before this, it was Warren who famously introduced it into surgical practice in a way that showcased its effectiveness, thereby propelling the use of anesthesia in medicine. Understanding the context of this discovery highlights its impact on the field, as it facilitated more complex surgeries and opened doors for future innovations in anesthesia. The other figures listed had significant roles in medical history, but their contributions did not directly relate to the discovery and application of ether as an anesthetic in that transformative year.