Who actually took Photo 51?

Who actually took Photo 51?

Photo 51 is one of the most famous and crucial scientific images in history, as it provided the essential X-ray diffraction data that allowed James Watson and Francis Crick to deduce the double-helix structure of DNA.

While the discovery is often credited broadly to King's College London, the physical capture of the X-ray diffraction image was the result of meticulous laboratory work performed by Raymond Gosling, a PhD student working under the supervision of Rosalind Franklin in 1952.

The Breakdown of Roles

• Rosalind Franklin: She was the expert crystallographer recruited to King's College London to improve the X-ray diffraction techniques for DNA fibers. She optimized the equipment, controlled the humidity conditions, and correctly interpreted the fundamental B-form DNA diffraction pattern revealed in the image.
• Raymond Gosling: As Franklin's graduate student, Gosling actually exposed the photographic plate to the X-rays, generating the physical image designated as "Photo 51" over a 100-hour X-ray exposure.

Controversy and Legacy

Without Franklin's rigorous experimental setup and analytical insights, the photograph would not have revealed the clear helical structure of DNA. However, Photo 51 was shown to James Watson by Franklin's colleague, Maurice Wilkins, without Franklin's permission or knowledge. This pivotal viewing gave Watson and Crick the final piece of the puzzle for their famous 1953 DNA model, largely overshadowing Franklin's vital contributions for decades.