Staphylococcus aureus was first identified in the 1870s in Aberdeen by Sir Alexander Ogston. He thought it looked like a bunch of golden grapes and that is what it means in Greek.
It was used by Sir Alexander Fleming as a target for penicillin but it became resistant and methicillin was developed as a result.
The dangers of drug resistance were known through early Medical Research Council trials in the 1940s. But it has nevertheless grown both in the community and in hospitals.
Concerted efforts are now in place to reduce healthcare acquired infections including MRSA.
The World Health Organization highlights a range of measures: better education of doctors and patients, stringent infection control, simple hygiene like washing hands and stopping the use of antibiotics to increase yield in livestock animals.