On January 18, 1896, the X-ray was publicly displayed for the first time by Professor H.L. Smith at Davidson College. While Smith introduced this groundbreaking technology, its invention is credited to Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, a German physicist. Roentgen’s discovery revolutionized medical diagnostics, marking a pivotal moment in scientific history. The ability to peer inside the human body without surgery captured public imagination and made X-rays an instant success. In recognition of this breakthrough, Roentgen was awarded the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901.

The significance of X-rays extended far beyond their initial medical applications. Many inventors, including Thomas Edison, recognized its potential to replace surgery as the first step, as the technology could reveal internal structures without the need for invasive procedures. This innovation transformed the field, enabling physicians to identify fractures, tumors, and foreign objects with remarkable precision, opening new frontiers in medical practice.