‘Something about X-rays for everyone:’ emerging technologies and open communities

This paper argues that the contemporary category of ‘emerging technology’ has probative value for historians of technology, because the vulnerable transitional phase the term is understood to refer to is also when actors outside of the traditional dyad of users and innovators can be most influential. In the case of X-ray generating apparatuses at the turn of the twentieth century, their success cannot be accounted for by the relatively small coterie of physicians who were both wealthy and technically sophisticated enough to purchase one, nor from any overwhelming medical utility. Rather, a diverse and diffuse community ranging from electrical hobbyists to photographers not only influenced the form and function of the artifact, making it more accessible to physicians, but also brought public attention to the technology, rendering it more commercially viable.     

Ivane Tarkhnishvili (Tarchanoff): A Major Georgian Figure from the Russian Physiological School

This article is dedicated to one of the outstanding scientists of the nineteenth century: Ivane Tarkhnishvili (Tarchanoff), a Russian physiologist of Georgian origin who graduated from the St. Petersburg Medico-Surgical Academy and worked under the supervision of the founder of Russian physiology, Ivan Sechenov. Among his numerous contributions was the discovery of the skin galvanic reflex; however, Tarkhnishvili's most significant contribution was the discovery of the influence of X-rays on the central nervous system, animal behavior, the heart and circulation, and embryonic development. Indeed, these works have given rise to a new field in science (radiobiology).     

The use of “soft” X-ray radiography in determining hidden construction characteristics in fiber sandals

The use of soft X-ray radiography is evaluated as to its potential use in perishable artifact analysis. Thirty-five plain weave pointed-toed Anasazi sandals were X-rayed and the radiographs examined. This technique permitted the viewing of hidden construction characteristics as well as missing structural features in many of the samples. Soft X-ray radiography is a powerful analytic tool not only because of its potential uses, but also because it is non-destructive, inexpensive, and readily available.     

On-site Radioscopic Qualitative Assessment of Historic Timber Structures: Identification and Mapping of Biological Deterioration of Wood

The recent development of portable, battery-charged x-ray tubes and digital detectors has made digital radioscopic examination of wooden buildings a realistic option. Lack of experience with the often very complex radiographs of building structures makes the interpretation of such radiographs difficult. A set of radiographs of wood in different, identified conditions was established for use when interpreting radiographs of wood in unknown condition.

This article presents radiographs of a trestle-framed building. The recordings were done in areas where the condition of the wooden elements was known in advance, either on the basis of dendrochronological drill samples or because the building element had been replaced recently and the wood was sound. The radiographs were compared with NIKU´s collected guideline radiographs and discussed with respect to the information they provide about the wood’s condition. Finally, we discuss radioscopy as a supplement to traditional methods of building surveying.

The authors took all of the photos and radiographs (©NIKU). The radiographs are shown as “shadow” images—materials of higher density are seen lighter than materials of less density, as long as they are of same thickness.