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(A606875) Lead apron, for use as protection for X-ray technician, 1920 to 1958, and (A606876) Pair of lead gloves, for
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Lead apron, for use as protection for X-ray technician, 1920 to 1958
A layer of lead is incorporated into this apron. It helps protect the wearer, an X-ray technician, from harmful radiation. It became standard protective equipment. The apron is made of cloth. With the lead, it weighs around five kilos. It is seen with a pair of protective gloves (A606876). These are also lead lined.
X-rays were discovered in 1895 by Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen (1845-1923). X-rays were so-called because the nature of the newly discovered rays was unknown. The first committee to investigate possible ill effects of X-rays was formed three years later in 1898. Reports of burns and dermatitis due to the rays were frequent by this date.
On display
Science Museum: Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries
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Details
- Category:
- Radiomedicine
- Object Number:
- A606875
- Materials:
- cloth, incomplete, lead, leather and rubber
- taxonomy:
-
- furnishing and equipment
- costume
- credit:
- Mann, J.J. and Kohnstamm
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Data in the title, made, maker and details fields are released under Creative Commons Zero
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