Summary
Highlights
In 1895, Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen discovered X-rays while working with cathode ray tubes. He noticed a fluorescent glow on a material even when the tube was covered, leading him to identify a new type of unknown radiation which he named 'X-rays'.
Röntgen captured the first X-ray image of his wife's hand, revealing her bones and wedding ring. This demonstrated how X-rays could pass through soft tissue while casting shadows of denser materials, enabling doctors to examine injuries without surgery.
Röntgen received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901. He famously refused to patent his invention, believing that scientific discoveries should be used for the benefit of humanity rather than for personal profit.
Beyond medicine, X-rays are used by art historians to analyze underpaintings, as well as by researchers to examine Egyptian mummies and ancient fossils. They continue to be vital in treating diseases like cancer and tuberculosis.