Stanley Miller was an American chemist best known for his groundbreaking experiment in 1953 that simulated the conditions of early Earth. Along with his mentor, Harold Urey, Miller aimed to understand how organic compounds could form from inorganic materials. His experiment used a mixture of gases, water, and electrical sparks to create amino acids, the building blocks of life. Miller's work provided significant insights into the origins of life and sparked interest in the field of abiogenesis. His findings suggested that the basic components of life could arise naturally under the right conditions, influencing both science and philosophy regarding the emergence of life on Earth.