The structure of DNA was discovered in 1953 by James Watson and Francis Crick. This groundbreaking discovery was made possible by the X-ray diffraction images produced by Rosalind Franklin, which provided critical insights into the helical structure of DNA.
Before this time, scientists understood that DNA was important for heredity, but they lacked detailed knowledge about its structure and function. Watson and Crick’s model showcased DNA as a double helix, which not only explained how DNA could replicate but also how genetic information could be stored and transmitted from one generation to the next. This discovery paved the way for modern genetics and has had a profound impact on science and medicine.