German scientist's X-Ray finding on this day in 1895 paved way for novel imaging technique

On this day, vember 8, in 1895 German physicist Wilhelm Conr Rontgen me history by becoming first person ever to observe ‘X-Rays’. Like most of discoveries that changed course of history, X-rays were also discovered accidentally while Rontgen was testing cathode rays in his lab in Wurzburg. Named ‘X-rays’ for ir unkwn nature, it is believed that Rontgen was testing wher cathode rays could pass through glass when he ticed a glow coming out from chemically coated screen.

What are X-rays?

X-rays are electromagnetic energy waves that act similarly to light rays but at wavelengths approximately 1,000 times shorter than those of light. Most X-rays have a wavelength ranging from 10 picometers to 10 nameters. Today, y are used for a variety of purposes including detecting intrabody dams and wounds.

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In aftermath of his accidental finding, Röntgen holed up in his lab and conducted a series of experiments to better understand of X-rays, History.com reported. It was n that German researcher discovered that X-rays were capable of penetrating human flesh but t higher-density substances such as bone or le. In dition, he also discovered that y can be photographed, paving way for multiple path-breaking vances in medicine.

Credits: UCSF health

Initially, X-rays were thought to be harmless as regular sunlight. In fact, in early 20th century, many shoe stores across American territory launched shoe-fitting fluoroscopes that used X-rays to enable customers to see bones in ir feet. However, practice was banned after researchers found that repeated exposure to  X-rays resulted in severe burns and skin dams. In 1904, Thomas Edison’s assistant, Clarence Dally, who h worked extensively with X-rays, died of skin cancer. Dally’s death caused some scientists to begin taking risks of riation more seriously, but y still weren’t fully understood.

Röntgen received numerous accoles for his work, including first bel Prize in physics in 1901, yet he remained modest and never tried to patent his discovery. Today, X-ray techlogy is widely used in medicine, material analysis and devices such as airport security scanners.

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