Chemistry through the lens

This month, rather than a single image, there are three to enjoy online. All three designs are included in the exhibition From atoms to patterns which shows how crystal structure designs featured in the 1951 Festival of Britain. The exhibition is housed at the Wellcome Collection, Euston Road, London, UK, and ends on 10 August.

Screen-printed wallpaper design by Robert Sevant for John Line & Son, based on the crystal structure of insulin 8.25 determined by Dorothy Hodgkin. This wallpaper was used in the Cinema Foyer at the Exhibition of Science in 1951. 

Image courtesy V&A Images/Victoria and Albert Museum. 

Max Perutz's haemoglobin 8.26 in machine-embroidered cotton lace. Designed by H Webster for A C Gill.

Image courtesy of V&A Images/Victoria and Albert Museum. 

Artificial silk dress fabric based on the structure of horse methaemoglobin, designed by S M Slade for British Celanese.

Image courtesy of  Wellcome Library, London.