Breakdown:

1. The Initial Observation: A Puzzle in Plain Sight
   The theory of continental drift began when someone noticed how South America and Africa fit together almost like puzzle pieces. This observation raised the question: Could these continents have once been connected? While there was an ocean between them, this initial idea prompted scientists to look for further evidence to support or disprove it.
2. Fossil Evidence Across Oceans
   To test this theory, scientists looked for fossils along the coasts of both continents. They found matching fossils and geological formations on both shores, suggesting a once-connected landmass that had since separated. Although this was compelling, it still didn’t provide a mechanism to explain how continents could drift apart on a seemingly solid Earth.
3. The Theory Shelved Due to Lack of Mechanism
   Without a way to explain how continents could move, the idea of continental drift remained a curiosity rather than a widely accepted theory. The scientific community needed more than fossil evidence; they needed a process to account for the movement of massive land masses over time.
4. Post-War Discoveries: Mapping the Atlantic Floor
   After World War II, scientists began mapping the Atlantic Ocean floor in detail, uncovering a massive ridge running through the center of the ocean. This discovery revealed that the seafloor was spreading, with new land forming along the ridge and pushing the continents apart. This was the missing mechanism, giving scientists a plausible explanation for continental drift.
5. Declassification and Acceptance of Plate Tectonics
   Once these findings were declassified, they provided the necessary proof for continental drift, shifting it from theory to accepted science. With evidence of seafloor spreading and a clear mechanism, the concept of plate tectonics gained acceptance, fitting together with previous data to explain the movement of continents.

Final Thought:

The journey of continental drift theory highlights how a simple observation can evolve into scientific fact with the right evidence. From fossil clues to seafloor mapping, this discovery reshaped our understanding of Earth’s dynamic surface, showing how continents continue to shift over millions of years.