The Röntgen Centenary

Abstract

One hundred years ago in November 1895, when Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen discovered X-rays, a new scientific age began which has dominated our own century. Rontgen himself was one of the late 19th century physicists involved in the exciting investigations opening up at that time into the possibilities which electrical applications were creating. To understand the significance of Rontgen's discovery, it is helpful to look at the years preceding his discovery and the context within which his work took place.