Topic: X-Rays on Google: Surprising Ways the Rays Are Used Today

[sam]

When German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen pioneered the use of x-rays 115 years ago—as celebrated today with a 115th-anniversary Google doodle—he couldn't have imagined the uses they'd be put to a century later.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/101108-x-rays-google-doodle-115th-anniversary-years-science-logo/

[Clive]

Very timely article.  I've just had a tooth x-rayed this morning.   

[daveeb]

Anyone remember the x-ray machines in shoe shops in the late 60's early 70's. I very vaguely remember using several in one day to "assist" in fitting shoes. To be filed along side fizzy radium water dispensers from the very early 20th century. 

[Rik]

I do, Dave. I guess that makes us both old. Plus real luminous watches.

[Simon]

X-Rays for shoe fitting? 

[Rik]

Yes, it was quite the thing back in the 50s.

[Simon]

Just shoes? 

[daveeb]

X-Rays for shoe fitting? 

yes it was a bit of a gimmick really, but you could see the bones in your foot via a flouroscopic camera. 

Yes, it was quite the thing back in the 50s.

I didn't realise they went back that far Rik.

[sam]

wow... oh the silly things people do.

I bet those high speed hand dryers should be on this of dangerous gimmicks. 

[sam]

Yes, it was quite the thing back in the 50s.

oh the good old 50s 

[Clive]

Ah yes - NOW I remember them!   

[Rik]

 

[Simon]

I don't. 

[Clive]

 

[sam]

Ah yes - NOW I remember them!   

oh yeah, the 60s followed