Photo 51

Photo 51 is an important early X-ray image of DNA taken in 1952 by Rosalind Franklin and Raymond Gosling. It shows a clear, helical pattern—like a spiral staircase—which indicated DNA's spiral structure. This image provided vital clues about DNA's shape and thickness, helping scientists understand how genetic information is stored and replicated. Franklin's work was key in uncovering the double-helix model, a breakthrough in molecular biology. The image is historically significant because it contributed to the discovery of DNA's structure, which revolutionized our understanding of genetics and heredity.