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Wednesday 4 November 2009, 5:23 PM
X-ray named top scientific invention
The X-ray machine has been voted the most important scientific invention in a poll by the Science Museum.
Out of nearly 50,000 votes cast, more than 9,500 chose the X-ray, one of 10 iconic inventions or discoveries in the poll, as having the biggest impact on the past, present and future.
Medical discoveries filled the top three spots, with the X-ray beating the discoveries of Penicillin and the DNA double helix structure into second and third place.
Prof. Andy Adam, professor of interventional radiology at King's College London said in a statement on Wednesday that the X-ray was a deserving winner. "I am delighted to hear that the X-ray machine has topped the poll of scientific discoveries," he said. "It has certainly revolutionised the practice of medicine. The diagnosis of many conditions and the planning of surgical or medical treatment is strongly dependent on input from radiology."
The X-ray was discovered in November 1895 by German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen when he was studying cathode rays emerging from a William Crookes cathode ray tube. Röntgen was awarded the first Nobel Prize for physics in 1901.
Katie Maggs, associate curator of medicine at the Science Museum said in a statement on Wednesday that the X-ray machine displayed in the Science Museum's Making the Modern World gallery, the Reynolds machine, was a DIY experiment by a father and his 15 year-old son. They were so inspired by news of the discovery of the x-ray that they built the equipment in their own home.
"It's very inspirational to budding scientists to learn that an invention now declared the most important in world history could be pioneered by enthusiastic amateur inventors," she said. "Many of the fundamental scientific discoveries of the twentieth century owe their origins to X-ray technology."
The poll, which began in June, was conducted as part of the Science Museum's events to mark its Centenary. The ten iconic objects form a special Centenary Journey trail through the museum galleries.
The Results:
1 - X-ray machines
2 - Penicillin
3 - DNA double helix
4 - Apollo 10 Capsule
5 - V2 Rocket Engine
6 - Stephenson's Rocket
7 - Pilot ACE Computer
8 - Steam Engine
9 - Model T Ford
10 - Electric Telegraph
Out of nearly 50,000 votes cast, more than 9,500 chose the X-ray, one of 10 iconic inventions or discoveries in the poll, as having the biggest impact on the past, present and future.
Medical discoveries filled the top three spots, with the X-ray beating the discoveries of Penicillin and the DNA double helix structure into second and third place.
Prof. Andy Adam, professor of interventional radiology at King's College London said in a statement on Wednesday that the X-ray was a deserving winner. "I am delighted to hear that the X-ray machine has topped the poll of scientific discoveries," he said. "It has certainly revolutionised the practice of medicine. The diagnosis of many conditions and the planning of surgical or medical treatment is strongly dependent on input from radiology."
The X-ray was discovered in November 1895 by German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen when he was studying cathode rays emerging from a William Crookes cathode ray tube. Röntgen was awarded the first Nobel Prize for physics in 1901.
Katie Maggs, associate curator of medicine at the Science Museum said in a statement on Wednesday that the X-ray machine displayed in the Science Museum's Making the Modern World gallery, the Reynolds machine, was a DIY experiment by a father and his 15 year-old son. They were so inspired by news of the discovery of the x-ray that they built the equipment in their own home.
"It's very inspirational to budding scientists to learn that an invention now declared the most important in world history could be pioneered by enthusiastic amateur inventors," she said. "Many of the fundamental scientific discoveries of the twentieth century owe their origins to X-ray technology."
The poll, which began in June, was conducted as part of the Science Museum's events to mark its Centenary. The ten iconic objects form a special Centenary Journey trail through the museum galleries.
The Results:
1 - X-ray machines
2 - Penicillin
3 - DNA double helix
4 - Apollo 10 Capsule
5 - V2 Rocket Engine
6 - Stephenson's Rocket
7 - Pilot ACE Computer
8 - Steam Engine
9 - Model T Ford
10 - Electric Telegraph
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