The evolutionary changes that the speckled moth has undergone to escape predation in highly polluted areas have undoubtedly been one of the most studied elements of natural selection over the past 200 years. This rapid cryptic pattern among Lepidoptera was originally observed in Manchester, England, in 1848, where the first melanistic phenotype was discovered. Since then, the interesting adaptation of Lepidoptera has been at the forefront of experimental studies. In fact, in his article “Selection experiments on industrial melanism in Lepidoptera,” Dr. Kettlewell investigates this melanistic phenotype in the 19th century. Subsequently, in 2002, B. S. Grant and L. L. Wiseman published an article, “Recent history of melanism in American peppered moths,” in an attempt to further investigate this phenomenon. Before the Industrial Revolution, a light form of peppered moth known as typi was the most abundant form of Lepidoptera in England. However, due to residual pollution from local coal burning sites, an entirely melanistic form known as Carbonaria has emerged (2). Indeed, the emergence of Carbonaria nearly wiped out the typical moths by the end of the 19th century(2). This dramatically altered Tipico's selective advantage in favor of Carbonaria moths once pollutants from industrialization compromised the cathartic nature of the lichens and algae that washed over the native trees. By the end of the 19th century, Carbonaria had become the most populous form of lepidoptera in Manchester and over time spread to neighboring regions(1). Dr. H. B. D. Kettlewell in his research paper, "Selection experiments on industrial melanism in Lepidoptera", set out to analyze the growing methods not...... middle of paper ...... d field to which he is Kettlewell was subjected. Admirable regards can be paid to Grant and Wiseman's most recent case study as they sought to expand the American understanding of industrial melanism due to the lack of data recorded outside of England. However, Kettlewell's innovative “release-recapture” method is widely recognized in the consistent discovery of statistical industrial melanism. In conclusion, although Kettlewell, Grant, and Wiseman all delved into the frequency of industrial melanism, their inferences were very different. Whether across different time periods, locations, or research methods, one factor appears to have led to different results: pollution. As is clear from the explanation of these two research papers, research that may once have been prevalent may prove obsolete as time passes and factors change..