Glass X-ray tube, fitted with regulator and a valve tube, 1895-1900
In 1895 a device similar to this one passed electricity through a vacuum to generate something revolutionary: X-rays. Medical researchers experimented using these radioactive rays on various skin conditions and types of tuberculosis, as well as cancer. They had varying degrees of success. X-ray treatment was expensive and sometimes left burns on a patient’s skin. It also posed risks to staff administering the treatment, who faced repeated exposure to the radiation.
On display
Science Museum: Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries
If you are visiting to see this object, please contact us in advance to make sure that it will be on display.
Details
- Category:
- Radiomedicine
- Object Number:
- A196
- Materials:
- anode, aluminium, anticathode, copper, anticathode, nickel, cathode, aluminium, regulator, aluminium, tube, glass and valve, aluminium
- type:
- x-ray tube
- taxonomy:
-
- furnishing and equipment
- tools & equipment
- x-ray machine
- credit:
- Holmes, F
Cite this page
Rights
We encourage the use and reuse of our collection data.
Data in the title, made, maker and details fields are released under Creative Commons Zero
Descriptions and all other text content are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence
Download
Download catalogue entry as json
View manifest in IIIF viewer
Add to Animal Crossing Art Generator
Download manifest IIIF
Our records are constantly being enhanced and improved, but please note that we cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information shown on this website.