When was radiology invented

In , Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen discovered the X-ray. Rontgen was experimenting with the flow of an electric current in a glass tube cathode-ray tube when he noticed that a nearby piece of barium platinocyanide emitted light during his experiment. He proposed that when the cathode rays electrons encountered the wall inside the tube a type of radiation formed which moved across the room and caused the illumination.

He called this X-radiation, or Rontgen radiation, and found that the radiation worked transparently with materials such as paper and aluminum. The X-ray apparatus the Rontgen created was widely available, so many scientists and physicians were able to work with and study the technology. As time went on, radiology transformed into a specialist profession, separate from a physician.

She became the first woman to be awarded the Nobel prize and the first person ever to win two Nobel prizes when she won the prize for the discovery of Polonium and Radium in Together, Hounsfield and Cormack were electrical engineers who invented the X-ray computed tomography CT scan in The CT scan is important to the history of radiology and uses a combination of X-rays and computer software to create images of specific areas of the body.

The CT scan is able to create highly detailed images of the brain, lungs, heart, and other internal organs. Without famous radiologists such as these, modern medicine would not enable physicians to diagnose ailments and diseases before they begin to present symptoms, or treat many diseases with less invasive surgical procedures. Radiographs The radiographs were initially made onto glass photographic plates; George Eastman introduced film in X-rays Most of the early x-ray work was performed by doctors and the departments were often combined with electro-therapeutic departments.

CT Scanning Many new techniques have been introduced in recent years and digital technology has transformed clinical practice beyond recognition. Cookies Site Map. Media centre Medical disclaimer. Contact us Terms and conditions Equality and diversity Privacy policy. Share on Facebook Follow on Twitter. British Institute of Radiology - Cookie Disclaimer. Phone: Email: [email protected].

Facebook Twitter Linkedin. The First Radiographs Originally, radiographs were made onto glass photographic plates. More Radiology Technology Added Over the years, many new techniques falling into the radiology category have been introduced. In , John Lawrence treated leukemia with phosphrus Posted in Blog.