Mysteries of vernacular: X-ray - Jessica Oreck and Rachael Teel
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.
This video can't load.
Your network might block YouTube, for example at school. Ask your teacher or an administrator for help, or watch the video at home.
Watch on YouTubeCreate and share a new lesson based on this one.
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.
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
- Video created by
- TED-Ed
- Lesson Plan created by
- TED Ed