History of Radiology Technicians
Radiologic technology is an indispensable part of modern medicine. The field has come a long way from the discovery of X-rays, and now includes radiation therapy and nuclear medicine. Technicians have had to evolve along with the technology and need many skills that contribute to successful patient diagnosis and treatment.
X-Rays
X-rays were discovered on November 8, 1895, by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen.
First Technicians
Physicians discovered soon after the discovery of X-rays that developing them was time-consuming and began hiring X-ray technicians to develop the films and maintain X-ray equipment. The majority of these technicians were women.
Safety
Safety precautions to protect technicians from X-ray exposure were not developed until X-rays had been in use for 20 years.
American Society of Radiologic Technologists
Currently known as the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, the first professional society for radiology professionals was started in October of 1929 under the name American Association of Radiological Technicians. The society was formed to create standards in education for the radiology field (see Resources).
Shortage
Changing technology created a severe shortage of radiology technicians in the early 1970s.
Federal Standards
While states developed licensing criteria for radiologic technicians at various times, there was no federally mandated licensing standard until 1981.
