130 Years of X-Ray Imaging: From Röntgen’s Discovery to Modern Medical Technology

On January 23, 1896, Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen presented something the world had never seen before: the first X-ray image. This moment, unveiled in Würzburg, marked the beginning of modern diagnostic imaging and transformed medicine forever. What started as scientific curiosity became a cornerstone of diagnosis, therapy planning, and patient care. Today, 130 years later – and just 150 kilometers away, we at gKteso continue to build on this legacy. With engineering teams in Schwarzenbruck and Bobingen, and strong ties to the medical technology hub around Erlangen, our work follows the same guiding principle: to look deeper, visualize the invisible, and turn discovery into real-world clinical impact. From digital radiotherapy systems to imaging-compatible robotics and precision mechatronics, Röntgen’s breakthrough still echoes in every technology we help develop. Here’s to 130 years of medical imaging innovation and to the countless lives improved because someone dared to look beyond what was visible.