X-ray named top achievement by British museum
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The X-ray was named the most important modern scientific achievement Wednesday in a poll conducted for Britain's Science Museum, beating Apollo spacecraft and DNA.
Nearly 50,000 members of the public voted in the museum or online on 10 of the greatest achievements in science, technology and engineering selected by the museum curators.
The X-ray machine topped the poll, which marks the London museum's centenary.
The discovery of penicillin antibiotics came second, followed by the DNA double helix.
After that, in order, came the Apollo 10 space capsule, the V2 rocket engine, Stephenson's Rocket steam locomotive, the Pilot ACE early computer, the steam engine, the Model T Ford motor car, and the electric telegraph.
The 10 are featured in a special section of the museum.
"I'm thrilled to see the incredible development of the X-ray machine recognised in the museum's centenary year," said Katie Maggs, the Science Museum's associate curator of medicine.
"X-rays have radically changed the way we see and understand our world -- our bodies in particular."
Britain's Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw 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."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments