X-Ray Scanning
Light, Sound and Waves

The risks of X-ray research

Stories from Physics for 11-14 14-16 IOP RESOURCES

Thomas Edison nearly lost his eyesight using fluoroscopes (devices that produce real time X-ray images) from exposure to X-rays through the viewfinder. When asked about his work with X-rays, he replied:  “Don’t talk to me about X-rays, I’m afraid of them.”

Edison’s assistant, Clarence Madison Dally, who was subjected to the fluoroscopy, suffered greatly from his exposure: he had both of his arms amputated following severe ulceration to his hands and died soon after of cancer.

References

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