Powerful Mistake: How one mistake can change the world

Many believe the most impacting technology came about through months of research, testing then deployment. In many cases, this was the opposite scenario. X-Ray is an example of these accidental discoveries, which today, is used to save numerous lives. Water (2011), explains that this was discovered in November 1895 German physicist Wilhelm Rontgen. His discovery of the electromagnetic radiation that had the capability of penetrating solid objects was a mover and shaker for today.

This technology was discovered through Rontgen’s experimentation with electron discharge which was covered by a black piece of cardboard. After which he noticed through the corner of his eye he could see through his hand (Levi, 2016). The general public’s reaction to his discovery was quite receiving and they started installing numerous coin-operated machines throughout for couples to take x-ray pictures together. Within a year of Rontgen’s discovery, a Radiology department was opened in Glasgow which then produced images of a kidney stone and a penny that was lodged in a child’s throat. This had been experimented by many scientists prior, but none had noticed what Rontgen had seen until after he mentioned it.

References

Levi, R. (2016). How X-Rays were discovered by mistake. Medium. Retrieved from https://medium.com/@ranlevi/how-x-rays-were-discovered-by-mistake-aea9c4a83c4a

Waters, H. (2011). The first X-Ray 1895. The Scientist. Retrieved from https://www.the-scientist.com/foundations/the-first-x-ray-1895-42279