Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2010.16 |
Object Name |
Print, Photographic |
Title |
Portrait of Arthur W. Goodspeed |
Description |
Half-length black and white photograph of a figure facing forward with his body turned to his left. Figure has light short hair, glasses and wears a light tweed suit with a white collar shirt and a dark tie with a white flower embroidery. |
Label |
The subject of this photograph, Arthur W. Goodspeed, was an unknowing pioneer in the field of x-ray technology. He is said to have accidentally produced the world’s first X-ray image, along with photographer W. N. Jennings, on February 22, 1890, at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a professor of physics. Not realizing what they had done, Goodspeed and Jennings did not publish their findings. Five years later, German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen published his discovery of x-rays, and it was only then that Goodspeed and Jennings realized the significance of their experiment, saying at the APS in 1896, “the first Röntgen shadow picture [contemporary term for x-rays] was really produced almost exactly six years ago to-night, in the physical lecture room of the University of Pennsylvania.” Goodspeed continued to experiment with x-ray technologies and began using the procedure on patients at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Goodspeed was a member of the APS and served as its Secretary for over thirty years. |
Medium |
Photograph |
Dimensions |
H-19.25 W-15.5 inches |
Credit line |
American Philosophical Society |
Search Terms |
19th century nineteenth century 20th century twentieth century scientist University of Pennsylvania photograph |