Skeletal Serendipity

The day was November 8, 1895. A physics professor in Wurzburg, Bavaria, sat in his laboratory, trying to determine if cathode rays could pass through glass. Little did he know that this would prove to be a turning point in the history of medicine. He noticed an incandescent green light penetrating through the heavy black paper wrapped around the cathode tube, and projected on a fluorescent screen. Since he did not know what it was, he called the light X (unknown) rays. Through careful experimentation, he discovered that it could pass through most materials, yet leave shadows of solid objects. X-rays could even pass through human tissue, making the bone and tissue under the skin visible. Doctors latched onto this boon, as it eliminated the need for surgery. X-rays were used to locate kidney stones, bone fractures, and even swallowed objects. In fact, X-rays became so popular that shoe shops in the 1930s offered free imaging so that customers could see the bones in their feet! Now, we have a much better understanding of the side effects, and have taken appropriate precautions to minimise unnecessary exposure. For his invaluable contribution to the field of medicine, Dr. William Conrad Roentgen received the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1901. Serendipity and science certainly go hand in hand.