During the 1920s, both men and woman sought X-ray as a way to remove unwanted hair. However, when safer, weaker X-rays only temporarily removed hair, stronger X-rays were applied. Unfortunately, patients soon experienced serious injuries, including bone loss, skin tissue scarring, disfigurements, vascular lesions, hyperpigmentation, and hypopigmentation. While the FDA banned X-ray hair removal in the 1940s, many months and years later, many previous patients developed cancers
Amazing fact: X-ray shoe-fitting
An X-ray shoe-fitting fluoroscope was common in shoe stores during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. When a person put their foot in the fluoroscope, they were effectively standing on an X-ray tube. A shoe model for the shoe-fitting machines received such serious radiation burns that she had to have her leg amputated
Amazing fact: The first use of X-ray
The first use of an X-ray for clinical purposes was by John Hall-Edwards in Birmingham, England, on 11 January 1896, when he X-rayed a needle stuck in the hand of his associate. He was also the first to use X-rays in a surgical operation
Amazing fact: X-ray are actually visible
X-rays are actually visible to the dark-adapted naked eye. Additionally, it is possible to see with the naked eye the ionization of the air molecules if the intensity of the X-ray beam is high enough
Amazing fact: X-ray machine used to kill people
In 2013, two New York state men were arrested for plotting to develop a mobile X-ray machine that would be used from a distance to kill people they thought were undesirables, namely "enemies of Israel."
