Edison and Dally

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Thomas Edison and his assistant, Clarence Dally, [right], exposed themselves and their friends in public performances. Dally died. He noticed X-ray burns on his hands, but ignored them until it was too late. Over five years he suffered pain, ulceration and serial amputations, finally losing both arms. Edison was so upset that he stopped working with X-rays and refused to be X-rayed even for medical purposes for the rest of his life.

Edison fluoroscopes were common in the 1890's. The green image is seen by looking down through the top.

Modern X-ray technicians hide behind lead shields. Women have their ovaries covered with lead aprons when being X-rayed.