All thinkers

Raymond Gosling: 2 ideas worth knowing

2 ideas from Raymond Gosling, each explained in a minute and credited to the original work. Free on Savvy.

• DNA's structure was solved using a photograph its taker never agreed to share

  In 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick built the correct double-helix model of DNA using X-ray diffraction data — 'Photo 51' — captured by Rosalind Franklin's lab and shown to the…

  — Rosalind Franklin & Raymond Gosling, Photo 51

• An X-ray photo labeled '51' gave away DNA's shape without its taker's consent

  In May 1952, Rosalind Franklin and student Raymond Gosling captured an X-ray image of DNA fibers so clear its X-shaped pattern all but announced a helix. Colleague Maurice Wilkins …

  — Rosalind Franklin and Raymond Gosling, Photo 51

Five ideas worth knowing, every week

The week's best cards and a puzzle, credited as always. Free, unsubscribe any time.

Subscribe