Wilhelm Roentgen and the Discovery of X-Rays (Unlocking the Secrets of Science)

Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen stumbled on x rays quite by accident working late one November night in 1895 in his laboratory in Wurzburg, Germany. Then 50 years old, he was a physical scientist who was experimenting with electricity. Even after he proved the existence of this "invisible light," Roentgen kept quiet about his discovery. He worked non-stop for several weeks, isolating himself and sometimes sleeping on a cot in his lab. He had his wife place her hand on a photographic plate for 15 minutes while x rays passed through it. The resulting picture became famous.

His discovery is credited as being one of the greatest advances in the history of medicine. X rays have found countless uses over the years including being used to authenticate paintings, stamps, and coins, and in quality control labs to check the manufacture of countless products. When he first discovered x rays, Roentgen had no idea how those rays would be used to improve our lives.