Skip to main content

Mysteries of vernacular: X-ray - Jessica Oreck and Rachael Teel

44,702 Views

166 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

The story of the word X-Ray is one of great thinkers. French philosopher Rene Descartes isolated the letters X, Y and Z to stand for unknowns, and centuries later, Wilhelm Röntgen discovered the X-ray, using the X for the unknown nature of the radiation. Jessica Oreck and Rachael Teel shed some light on the etymology of this modern marvel.

Additional Resources for you to Explore

To learn more about the history of X-ray tubes and Wilhelm Röntgen, visit The Cathode Ray Tube Site. This is a detailed animation about exactly what happens during an X-ray. Here's a set of extraordinary X-rays as featured in TIME Magazine.

Next Section »

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Director Jessica Oreck
  • Producer Rachael Teel

More from Mysteries of Vernacular