what observation led alfred wegner to develop his continental drift hypothesis
Alfred Wegener (1880 - 1930). Alfred Wegener proposed the theory of continental drift at the beginning of the 20th century. His idea was that the Earth's continents were once joined together, but gradually moved apart over millions of years.his slideshow explains Wegener's theory. Earth around 200 million years ago, at the time of Pangaea. Wegenerâs evidence for continental drift was that: 1  the same types of fossilised animals and plants are found in South America and Africa.