Final answer:
The incorrect idea that did not contribute to Darwin's theory of evolution is the belief that parents acquire new traits through their actions and can pass these to their offspring. Rather, Darwin's theory was based on evidence of an old Earth, the relationship between physical similarities and genetic relatedness, and the competition for resources.
Step-by-step explanation:
The idea that did NOT help Darwin form his theory of evolution is D. Parents get new traits through their actions and pass them to offspring. This concept is related to the evolutionary theory proposed by Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck, known as Lamarckism, which has since been disproven. Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection was informed by evidence indicating that the Earth is very old (A), observations that physically similar organisms tend to be closely related (B), and evidence that organisms compete for limited resources (C).
Darwin's theory of evolution was greatly influenced by his interpretation of the fossil record and the observations he made during his voyage on HMS Beagle, which showed that species can change over time. Scientists like Charles Lyell and Thomas Malthus provided insights into Earth's deep geological history and the struggle for existence due to population pressures, respectively. These concepts were pivotal in shaping Darwin's ideas of natural selection and evolution.