REMEMBER WHEN: Dr. Wilhelm Röntgen Discovered X-rays

One hundred twenty-seven years ago today, the Austrian newspaper of record, "Die Presse" announced a revolutionary moment in the history of science, Dr. Wilhelm Röntgen's discovery of X-rays. Röntgen, a German physicist, was working with cathode ray tubes in his laboratory when he noticed that a fluorescent screen near the tube was glowing, even though the tube was wrapped in heavy black paper to block any light from escaping.

Intrigued by this strange phenomenon, Röntgen began to investigate further and discovered that the rays emanating from the tube had the ability to pass through many solid objects, including human flesh. He called these rays "X-rays," and they quickly became a valuable tool in the fields of medicine and science.

The first x-ray facilities opened in the spring of 1896 in Germany, England, and the United States. At first, the indiscriminate use of the x-ray resulted in serious injuries and skin burns. Radiation damage was significantly reduced using instruments to measure how much X-rays the body absorbs. In the early days of the use of X-rays, many X-ray doctors and assistants suffer long-term damage, such as cancer or limb loss. New protective gear made of lead shielded doctors and nurses from x-rays.

During World War I, X-rays were used on a broad scale for the first time in medicine. The X-ray equipment is mobilized and transported to the field hospitals in X-ray wagons. Doctors in field hospitals confirmed that X-rays are indispensable to modern medicine.

With the discovery of X-rays, Röntgen made a number of important contributions to science. A major benefit was the development of X-ray imaging, which enabled doctors to see inside the human body without having to perform invasive procedures. A number of other forms of radiation were also discovered, including gamma rays and ultraviolet rays, which opened up new avenues of research in physics and chemistry. CT scans combine a series of X-ray images taken from different angles to create cross-sectional images of bones and soft tissues.

In 1901, Röntgen earned the first Nobel Prize in Physics for his discovery, and his contributions to science and medicine are celebrated today.

By Kelly Littleton