Nikola Tesla was a fundamental pillar in the discovery of X-rays.

BUT Nicholas Tesla He is not known as the creator of X-rays, but his contribution to this invention helped Wilhelm Roentgen, who discovered this type of electromagnetic radiation in 1895, to learn important details about its use and the possible dangers of human exposure to these waves. . Tesla actually. he was one of the first to invent the x-ray machine, and one of the first to use it. The famous inventor even took an x-ray of his own foot.

It can be said that in some way Nikola Tesla and Roentgen competed for the discovery of X-rays. In fact, according to the European Society for Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR), if not for the fire that destroyed the laboratories of the Serbian-American scientist Tesla in the same year one could attribute the invention of X-rays to earlier than Roentgen.

However, the “competition” between the two inventors was friendly. In fact, Tesla and Roentgen helped each other push the discovery forward. When the German engineer published his invention, Nikola Tesla was quick to congratulate him. I also send you some photographs taken with an X-ray system that he himself invented. Roentgen, for his part, expressed his admiration for his work in a letter.

Dear Sir! You really surprised me with beautiful photographs of wonderful discharges, and I tell you that I am very grateful to you for this. If only I knew how such things are done! With special respect, I sincerely welcome you – V.K. X-ray”.

This can be read in the thank-you note that Roentgen sent to Tesla.

Nikola Tesla took an x-ray of his own foot

One of the images that Nikola Tesla sent to Roentgen was an image X-ray of own foot. On it, you can see his bones and even the metal parts that were on his boot. Tesla, in particular, made a machine consisting of a Crookes tube and a vacuum tube of his own design. For this, what is interesting used tesla coil. Nikola Tesla also used this machine to take X-rays of his hand.

Tesla’s research in this area also served clarify the inconvenience of using x-rays in humans. Nicola discovered that exposure to this type of radiation, more specifically the ozone and nitrous acid generated by the beams, causes changes in the skin and other parts of the body. These include swelling, pain, redness, or even hair loss.

These human exposure warnings are furthermore related to Tesla’s other discovery in the use of X-rays. The inventor realized that the use of this technology may be useful in medicine. This made it possible, in particular, to see foreign objects inside, broken bones, or even various lung diseases.