Final answer:
The x-ray technology was discovered by Wilhelm Röntgen in 1895 in Germany when he observed that invisible rays could create images of internal body structures on a special screen. Röntgen's ground-breaking work led to the widespread use of x-rays in medicine and earned him the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901. X-rays became a critical tool in diagnosing injuries and diseases, particularly during World War I.
Step-by-step explanation:
The technology of x-rays was discovered by the German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen in the year 1895. Working with cathode ray tubes, Röntgen observed that an invisible ray would pass through various substances, including human flesh, and leave an image on a screen coated with a metal compound. His experiments led to the creation of an x-ray image of his wife's hand, which was the first durable record of the internal parts of a living human being. This seminal discovery quickly led to the widespread use of x-rays to detect injuries and diseases within a few years of his discovery, revolutionizing diagnostic medicine and establishing the field of radiology.
By 1901, Röntgen was honored with the first Nobel Prize in Physics for his innovative work. During World War I, the application of x-ray technology in medicine saw further advancements, including the use of mobile x-ray units, which were advocated by the renowned scientist Madame Marie Curie to diagnose injured soldiers, making x-rays an invaluable tool in medical diagnostics.