Final answer:
William Astbury accidentally took the first X-ray diffraction patterns of DNA while studying the structure of wool. His work was an early step in the eventual discovery of DNA's double helix structure and showcased the importance of cross-disciplinary research in science.
Step-by-step explanation:
Accidental Discovery by William Astbury
William Astbury, an English physicist and molecular biologist, accidentally contributed to the field of molecular biology by taking the first X-ray diffraction patterns of DNA. While trying to study the structure of wool for the textile industry, he noticed that wet wool fibers produced a diffraction pattern indicating a regular structure. His observations and recordings were a critical early step in the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA. Eventually, his work laid the foundation for future discoveries by scientists like James Watson and Francis Crick, although at the time he did not fully understand the significance of the patterns he had observed.
Astbury's accidental discovery highlighted the potential for cross-disciplinary research between physics and biology and underscored how unintended results can sometimes lead to momentous scientific findings.