Wilhelm Roentgen discovers X-rays

8 November 1895, Germany

In 1895 Wilhelm Roentgen discovered X-rays, and the effects on the medical profession were immediate. Within a few years, discoveries were being made regarding the effects of the rays on cancers and the treatment of skin problems, and were being introduced in clinics to visually show bone fractures. Today, X-rays are widely used in health services throughout the world and are instrumental in doctors’ ability to diagnose and treat medical conditions.