Tesla's Work with X-rays

Prior to Roentgen's discovery of X-rays, Nikola Tesla's experiments with evacuated bulbs led to a phenomenon which he called “special radiations.” It was not until Roentgen's announcement that Tesla realized what he had discovered. Being the gentleman and scientist that he was, Tesla credited Roentgen with the discovery. He then sent Roentgen a packet of special radiation photos. Roentgen was amazed at what Tesla had done and asked him to describe the methods by which the photos were taken.

Tesla wrote numerous papers on X-ray techniques and apparatus. Even if serialized, they would be too long for this newsletter. What follows are some sample illustrations from Tesla's papers. Incidentally, Tesla was able to take an X-ray photo of a human skull from a distance of 40 feet! As far as I know, none of his contemporaries were able to duplicate this feat. It is even more astounding when one considers that the photo industry was in its infancy and photo emulsions were quite insensitive to light. How did he do it?

1. ELECTRICAL REVIEW: March 11, 1896 “On Roentgen Rays”
2. ELECTRICAL REVIEW: April 8, 1896 “On Roentgen Radiations”
3. ELECTRICAL REVIEW: April 22, 1896 “Roentgen Ray Investigations”
4. - 5. ELECTRICAL REVIEW: August 11, 1897 “On the Source of Roentgen Rays and the Practical Construction and Safe Operation of Lenard Tubes.”