Invention of x-ray|A scientific bombshell
Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen (1845-1923) who was a Professor at Wuerzburg University in Germany discovered X- rays in 1895. He named it x- rays because he found mysterious rays accidentally working with a cathode-ray tube in his laboratory, he observed a fluorescent glow of crystals on a table near his tube. The tube consisted of a glass envelope (bulb) with positive and negative electrodes encapsulated in it. The air in the tube was evacuated, the tube produced a fluorescent glow when a high voltage was applied. He shielded the tube with heavy black paper, and discovered a green colored fluorescent light generated by a material passes through the paper.
Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen (1845-1923)
He came into conclusion that a new type of ray was being emitted from the tube which was capable of passing through the heavy paper covering and exciting the phosphorescent materials in the room. The new ray could pass through most substances casting shadows of solid objects. He also founded that the ray could pass through the tissue of humans easily , but not bones and metal objects. First experiment conducted by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen in 1895 was a film of the hand of his wife, Bertha. First use of X-rays were for an industrial (not medical).
Film of the hand of his wife, Bertha
Roentgen's discovery was a scientific bombshell. Scientists everywhere duplicated his experiment because the cathode tube was very well known during this period. Newspapers and magazines gave much publicity to mysterious rays . Most of the scientist dropped their research and started experiment with X-rays.
X-ray was discovered accidentally as mysterious rays has changed the course of medical science.
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