I didn't really begin to understand evolution until I grasped the depth of Deep Time, which is exactly what the scientists of the mid 1800's struggled with until radiometric dating was developed later in that century and is still being refined today.

Edit: First suggestion of radiometric dating 1905

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(By the way, I hate it that so many papers in the areas of planetary science and geology are not easily avaiable to the dreaded "non-subscribers". It is like they are screaming at me: "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH". Good, I feel better now.)

I know you are a person who takes his physics seriously, but isn't it said that most great discoveries aren't discovered with "Eureka!" but with, "Hmmm, that's funny." Big Don