🩻 The sideshow attraction of x-rays | ABC Radio National

Key Concepts:

• X-rays: Electromagnetic radiation used for medical imaging and other applications.
• Pedoscope: A device using X-rays to view the bones of the foot inside a shoe.
• Lead Underwear: Protective clothing made with lead to block X-ray radiation.
• X-ray Glasses: Fictional glasses purported to allow seeing through objects using X-rays.

X-ray Craze and Early Applications

Following the discovery of X-rays, a public fascination emerged, leading to various applications, some practical and some purely for amusement. One example was the creation of X-ray booths where people could have X-ray photographs taken, often with a partner, as a novelty experience.

The Pedoscope: A Shoe-Fitting Gimmick

A more widespread application, particularly up until the 1960s, was the use of pedoscopes in shoe stores. These devices used X-rays to allow customers and salespeople to view the bones of the foot inside the shoe. The intended purpose was to assess the fit of the shoe by observing the movement of the bones. However, the video suggests that this was largely a gimmick, as the information provided by the pedoscope was not essential for determining shoe fit.

Misconceptions and Exaggerated Fears

The video highlights how the understanding of X-rays was sometimes distorted, leading to exaggerated fears and misconceptions. This is exemplified by the creation of lead underwear, specifically for Victorian ladies, intended to provide protection from X-ray radiation. The video notes the apparent gender bias in this concern, as there was no similar product marketed towards men.

Fictional X-ray Glasses and Banning at the Opera

Further illustrating the public's misunderstanding of X-ray technology, the video mentions the banning of X-ray glasses from the opera. The irony is that X-ray glasses did not actually exist. This demonstrates the extent to which the public's imagination had run wild with the possibilities of X-ray technology, even to the point of fearing nonexistent devices.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The early days of X-ray technology were marked by a combination of genuine innovation, practical applications, and public fascination that often veered into the realm of misconception and exaggerated fears. The pedoscope represents a real-world application that, while intended to be helpful, was ultimately more of a gimmick. The lead underwear and the banning of fictional X-ray glasses highlight the public's incomplete understanding and sometimes irrational anxieties surrounding this new technology.