Unusual Inventions - The X - Ray
by Startacus Admin
We had previously looked at the unusual invention that is the Microwave Oven, invented by Dr Percy Spencer, when he walked in front of a magnetron with a bar of chocolate in his pocket.
Inventions that happen by accident are rather cool to read about, but the reality is that accidental or not, you do kind of have to be looking, in order to spot the remarkable happening in the first place.
So this week we take a look at the invention of the X-Ray...
Whilst perhaps not as ‘by mistake’ as the Microwave, the discovery of the X-Ray and its’ impact on the medical world as a whole and the impact it has had specifically on capturing images of bones cannot be underestimated.
In 1895 German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen was experimenting with electrical currents through glass cathode-ray tubes (as you do...).
The physicist observed that a piece of barium platinocyanide elsewhere in the room glowed, even though the glass tube he was using was encased in thick black card. Unsure what he had discovered, Röntgen called it X-Radiation (the X being the unexplained part that you have to try and answer!)
The romantic part to the story (or unromantic if you consider what could have happened) was that the Physicist experimented on his discovery using his wife's hand. He created the first X-Ray photos by capturing images of the bones in her hand and her wedding ring at that. Röntgen went on to observe that when the X-Rays were emitted in darkness, the flesh and muscle became mostly transparent. Röntgen was awarded with the first Nobel Prize for Physics in 1901.
Like the Microwave, the X-Ray highlights that whether you are experimenting, creating or making, what you first set out to do, can evolve and develop over time, and it’s a lesson to all of us on our self starter journeys.
Join the Self Start society! If you like what you see here on Startacus and want to get involved yourself, why not become a member of our growing community by joining for free here!
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
London startup Soldo, is aiming to streamline the entire business expense cycle –from payment to reconciliation.
Don’t worry if your business died. You just got a step closer to entrepreneurial heaven says Richard Myers, Commercial Director at Transmit Start-Ups.
SupplyCompass, a design-to-delivery sourcing platform that provides an efficient and sustainable solution for global supply chains, agrees a £1.5m seed fund deal.
Apprenticeship startup WhiteHat raises $16m Series A led by Index Ventures and prepares to expand its alternative to university.
How can women effectively challenge gender bias in the workplace? Hayley Mackenzie from Boiler Guide, shares here thoughts and experience.
The app that's aiming to help us to take the first step in reversing climate change...
The startup that's providing Nursing Home residents with additional meaningful social interactions provided by local people!
Some easy and inexpensive ways to make your start-up more secure.
The vidiCREW app is on a mission to show your wedding through the eyes of your loved ones. How does it work?
The Startup Leadership Program continues to grow, inviting applications for its 9th London cohort to join the six-month program.
Published on: 9th October 2012
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- Startup Leadership Program invites applications for its 9th London cohort 12th Jul 2019 The Startup Leadership Program continues to grow, inviting applications for its 9th London cohort to join the six-month program.
- Latest Zinc Company Builder Programme to transform the quality of later life 9th Jul 2019 Do you want to build a new purpose-driven startup with support from a world-class network of experts?
- HealthTech startups sought for Greater Manchester Future of Health Challenge 4th Jul 2019 The Greater Manchester Future of Health Challenge is on the hunt for innovative healthtech startups and scaleups...
- Seedrs FMCG Accelerator Programme to help 10 UK-based FMCG businesses 3rd Jul 2019 Seedrs have launched their first FMCG Accelerator Programme dedicated to helping up to 10 UK-based FMCG businesses raise capital.
