From x-rays to multislice CT scans: A brief history

Today doctors can use various diagnostic tools to create detailed images of their patient’s body whenever they want. One of the most popular of them is the CT (computed tomography) scanner. As most of us already know this device uses x-rays to map the human body in just 10-20 minutes.

However the development of these scanners is less known. In this article we highlight the most important steps that lead to the current state-of-the-art CT devices.

Starts

In 1895 a physicist named Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen first detected and produced electromagnetic radiation (also known as x-rays) in Germany. This incredible discovery lead to the usage of x-rays in medicine as well in 1896.

The next big step was taken in 1917 when Johann Radon established the mathematical principles of the CT scan.

From that the development sped up: everywhere in the world scientists and doctors tried their best to advance the technique CT scanners use to create more accurate images. This led to the current state of CT scans in 1917.

The first ever picture that was taken with the CT scan we all know happened on the 1^st of October, 1971. These first images weren’t advanced at all, they were blurry and took a lot of time to create. Nonetheless, it was a huge advantage in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.