Discovery of X-Ray Machine Technology

Discovery of X-Ray Machine Technology

The discovery of the technology involved with X-ray machines was discovered by German scientist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen. While working in a lab in Wurzberg, Germany in 1895. Röntgen was testing cathode rays (part of the technology behind what would later become television). He wanted to see whether the rays could pass through a glass. “when he noticed a glow coming from a nearby chemically coated screen,” according to the History Channel’s website. “He dubbed the rays that caused this glow X-rays because of their unknown nature.”

1897: X-rays first used on a military battlefield, during the Balkan War, “to find bullets and broken bones inside patients.”

1901: X-ray scientist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen receives the first Nobel Prize in physics. Although he received a lot of recognition, he never tried to patent his discovery.

1904: A man who worked extensively with X-rays, Clarence Dally, Thomas Edison’s assistant, dies of skin cancer. His death causes scientists to take the radiation risks involved with X-rays more seriously, although they are not fully understood.

The 1930s to 1950s: American shoe stores use shoe-fitting fluoroscopes., using X-rays to let customers see the bones in their feet, as a gimmick to ensure a proper “fit”. The practice ends in the 1950s when it is determined to be too risky for health reasons due to the radiation. And shoe clerks had no formal medical training in using X-ray technology.

Braille is a system of raised dots. That can be read with the fingers by people who are blind or who have low vision. Teachers, parents, and others who are not visually impaired ordinarily read braille with their eyes. Braille is not a language. Rather, it is a code by which many languages. Such as English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and dozens of others—may be written and read. Braille is used by thousands of people all over the world. They use it in their native languages and provides a means of literacy for all.

Louis Braille was born in Coupvray, France, on January 4, 1809. He attended the National Institute for Blind Youth in Paris, France, as a student. At that time, books were created using raised print which was laborious to produce. it was hard to read and difficult for individuals to write. While attending the Institute, Braille yearned for more books to read. He experimented with ways to create an alphabet that was easy to read with the fingertips. The writing system he invented, at age fifteen, evolved from the tactile “Ecriture Nocturne” (night writing). Code invented by Charles Barbier for sending military messages that could be read on the battlefield at night, without light. Learn more about the creation of the braille code by exploring AFB’s Louis Braille Online Museum.