Who Invented the X-ray?

Who invented the x-ray? The man who invented the x-ray was a man named Wilhelm Roentgen. Like many of the greatest inventions in the world, Wilhelm Roentgen invented the x-ray by accident. There is a lot to learn more about Roentgen and the invention of this important and life saving medical technology.

The x-ray has always existed in the world although it was not known about prior to its discovery by Wilhelm Roentgen on November 8th, 1895:

• Roentgen had been experimenting with cathode rays and vacuum tube equipment to see how the tubes would react when electrical discharge passed through the tubes.
• During the course of these experiments, he discovered that some fluorescence was passing through a cardboard tube he was using to block light out.
• He then determined that a different type of tube, Hittorf-Crookes tubes, which were made of thicker glass walls than Lenard tubes he had been working with, might also result in this fluorescence escaping. 
• To test this, he set up an experiment with a barium platinocyanide screen, and he noticed that shimmering lights were coming from it.
• He decided to place his wife’s hand over a piece of fresh unexposed film and exposed her hand to these rays, producing a picture of the bones in her hand, along with her wedding ring, which could not be penetrated by the rays.  The discovery of these rays created a sensation in the scientific community.

Accidental Discovery of the X-ray

Because of the manner in which the x-ray was invented or discovered, it can be said that the discovery of X-rays was done completely by accident, and was unintentional in every way. 

Roentgen never fully explained the reasons for his naming the rays “x-rays,” except to say that he named them that because they were an unknown type of radiation. X was a commonly used variable expression of the unknown in math and science at the time. 

William Rontgen and X-Ray Technology

In many countries, X-rays are still referred to as Roentgen rays, after the man who invented x-ray technology. In countries with this naming practice, x-rays are measured in a unit known as Roentgens, in honor of Wilhelm’s advantageous accident.  However, Roentgen preferred that X-rays be referred to as X-rays instead of by the use of his name.

Many others have further developed x-ray technology since Roentgen’s original discovery in 1895, and their names have been added to the historical significance of X-rays, but Roentgen stands alone in history as the true discoverer.

Today, the X-ray is one of the most prevalent modern technologies, and one that we often take for granted.  X-rays are useful for any number of applications:

• medical studies of the inside of the human body
• detection of disease before it has spread
• examining the inside of luggage and cargo before it is loaded on to airplanes or trains to prevent terrorist attacks

The X-ray has gained a place in the world as one of the premiere uses of radiation for human good.