A Nicholas Tesla He is not known as the creator of X-rays, but his contributions to this invention helped Wilhelm Röntgen, who in 1895 discovered this type of electromagnetic radiation, to learn important details about its use and the possible dangers of exposure to these waves in humans. Tesla, in fact, he was one of the first to invent an x-ray machine, and also one of the first to use it. The famous inventor even got an X-ray of his own foot.
We could say that, in a way, Nikola Tesla and Röntgen competed for the discovery of X-rays. In fact, and as detailed in the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR, for its acronym in English), if it were not for the fire that that same year destroyed the laboratory of the Serbian-American scientist, Tesla could have attributed the invention of X-rays before Röntgen.
The “competition” between the two inventors, however, was friendly. In fact, Tesla and Röntgen helped each other to advance the discovery. When the German engineer published his invention, Nikola Tesla did not hesitate to congratulate him. He also sent several photographs taken through an X-ray system that he himself invented. Röntgen, for his part, showed his admiration for his work in a letter.
Dear Sir! He has surprised me greatly with the beautiful photographs of the wonderful downloads and I tell him that I thank him very much for it. If only I knew how these things are done! With the expression of special respect, I sincerely greet you – WC Roentgen.”
It can be read in the letter of thanks that Roentgen sent to Tesla.
Nikola Tesla took an X-ray of his own foot
One of the images that Nikola Tesla sent to Röntgen was that of a x-ray of your own foot. In this, you can see his bones and even the metal components that his shoe had. Tesla, in particular, manufactured a machine made up of a Crookes tube and a vacuum tube of his own design. For this, interestingly, used a tesla coil. Nikola Tesla also used this machine to take an X-ray of his hand.
Tesla’s research in this area also served to clarify the inconveniences of the use of X-rays in humans. Nikola found that exposure to this type of radiation, and more specifically the ozone and nitrous acid generated by the rays, caused changes in the skin and other parts of the body. Among them, swelling, pain, redness or even hair loss.
These warnings about exposure to humans, moreover, are related to another discovery by Tesla in the use of X-rays. The inventor realized that the use of this technology could be useful in the medical field. It allowed, in particular, to see foreign objects inside, broken bones or even different lung diseases.