Final answer:
The binomial naming system, part of modern taxonomy, was created by Carolus Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist known as the 'father of taxonomy', who standardized the naming of species with a two-part name indicating genus and species.
Step-by-step explanation:
Origin of the Binomial Naming System
The two-part naming system used by scientists today, also known as the binomial naming system, was developed by the Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus during the 18th century. Linnaeus, often called the 'father of taxonomy', created a system where each organism is given a unique two-word name consisting of its genus and species, such as the North American blue jay, known as Cyanocitta cristata, and humans referred to as Homo sapiens. This system helped standardize the naming of organisms around the world, eliminating confusion from regional common names.
Linnaeus also built a hierarchical classification system still used in taxonomy to categorize organisms into increasingly specific groups from domains down to species. His work is documented in his publications, including Systema Naturae, and has placed him at the forefront of biological classification.