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X-rays 'pip rocket' as invention X-rays 'top scientific invention'
(about 1 hour later)
The public has voted the x-ray machine as the best invention over the Apollo 10 space capsule and Stephenson's rocket.The public has voted the x-ray machine as the best invention over the Apollo 10 space capsule and Stephenson's rocket.
Nearly 10,000 people named it as the clear winner for having made the greatest impact on the past, present and future. Out of nearly 50,000 votes cast 10,000 people named it for having made the greatest impact on the past, present and future.
Ten of the most significant objects in science, engineering, technology and medicine were for the vote. Ten of the most significant objects in science, engineering, technology and medicine were selected for the vote.
Nearly 50,000 votes were cast in the Science Museum poll. Information on all the items are found at the Science Museum in London.
The first three positions were filled by medical inventions or discoveries, the x-ray machine being followed by the discoveries of Penicillin and the DNA double helix structure.The first three positions were filled by medical inventions or discoveries, the x-ray machine being followed by the discoveries of Penicillin and the DNA double helix structure.
X-rays provided the first possibility of looking inside someone's body without cutting them open - a massive medical advance.X-rays provided the first possibility of looking inside someone's body without cutting them open - a massive medical advance.
'Laying patients bare''Laying patients bare'
The particular x-ray machine in question - the Reynolds machine in the Museum's Making the Modern World Gallery - was a "do-it-youself" experiment by a father and son who were so inspired by news of the discovery of the x-ray that they set about building the equipment in their own home.The particular x-ray machine in question - the Reynolds machine in the Museum's Making the Modern World Gallery - was a "do-it-youself" experiment by a father and son who were so inspired by news of the discovery of the x-ray that they set about building the equipment in their own home.
THE RESULTS 1st place - X-ray machines2nd place - Penicillin3rd place - DNA double helix4th place - Apollo 10 Capsule5th place - V2 Rocket Engine6th place - Stephenson's Rocket7th place - Pilot ACE Computer8th place - Steam Engine9th place - Model T Ford10th place - Electric TelegraphTHE RESULTS 1st place - X-ray machines2nd place - Penicillin3rd place - DNA double helix4th place - Apollo 10 Capsule5th place - V2 Rocket Engine6th place - Stephenson's Rocket7th place - Pilot ACE Computer8th place - Steam Engine9th place - Model T Ford10th place - Electric Telegraph
Museum curator Katie Maggs said: "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."Museum curator Katie Maggs said: "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."
Professor Andy Adam, president of the Royal College of Radiologists, was delighted to learn of the result.Professor Andy Adam, president of the Royal College of Radiologists, was delighted to learn of the result.
He said the x-ray machine had revolutionised medical practice and that the technology had now advance so much that we are reaching the era of the "transparent patient".He said the x-ray machine had revolutionised medical practice and that the technology had now advance so much that we are reaching the era of the "transparent patient".
Ben Bradshaw MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, said: "Any competition that pits the Apollo 10 spacecraft against Stephenson's rocket, and the DNA double helix against the Model T Ford, is bound to provide talking points a-plenty.Ben Bradshaw MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, said: "Any competition that pits the Apollo 10 spacecraft against Stephenson's rocket, and the DNA double helix against the Model T Ford, is bound to provide talking points a-plenty.
"The public's choice of the x-ray machine as the winner is testament to our insatiable curiosity to find out how things work.""The public's choice of the x-ray machine as the winner is testament to our insatiable curiosity to find out how things work."
The poll 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 poll 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.