X-Ray Technology

In 1894, Tesla pioneered X-ray imaging, or "shadowgraphs," using high-voltage vacuum tubes to produce radiographs months before Wilhelm Röntgen's 1895 announcement. Experimenting with Crookes tubes and his Tesla coils, Tesla captured images of bones and objects by bombarding targets with electron streams, generating penetrating rays. He noted radiation's dangers, reporting burns and eye irritations, and advised shielding. His single-terminal tubes without target electrodes simplified design, enabling early medical diagnostics like hand X-rays. Tesla shared findings with Röntgen, contributing to the field's rapid advancement.

Historically, Tesla's work laid radiology's foundations, though credit went to Röntgen. He used X-rays for material analysis and therapy, warning of hazards. Today, his innovations influence CT scans and fluoroscopy, with safety protocols echoing his cautions. Tesla's experiments bridged electricity and medicine, transforming diagnostics and underscoring ethical innovation.