[PRCo] First X-Rays in Pittsburgh

[robert simpson]

Pittsburgh Railways and X-Rays
   
  Hope this isn't too far off-topic.....
   
  The first X-Ray machine in the Pittsburgh area was installed in Shadyside Hospital on Centre Avenue in the early 1900's - in an era when electricity was not yet common in the home or in the hospital.  How they overcame this shortcoming was to run an electrical cable from Pgh. Railway line on Centre Avenue into the hospital.  This Direct Current from the railroad power line was converted into a crude Alternating Current by a rotary device driven by a motor which switched (reversed) polarity at close to 60 cycles per second.  This crude alternating current (actually more of a "square wave") was acceptable to operate the large step-up transformer needed for the X-Ray machine.  I once heard that the voltage needed for these early X-Ray machines was around 80KV.  The transformer was large because of the poor insulation on the wiring.
   
  This X-Ray machine became quite a popular curosity when people gathered around to see the amazing sight of a coin inside a Bible being shown on the dim fluoroscope screen.  They also invided people to place their hands in front of the X-Ray tube and people could see the "inside" of their hands.  This was usually done at night because of the dimness of the original fluoroscope screens before image intensifiers had been invented.
   
  This was, of course,  an era when the dangers of X-Radiation was yet unknown.  The initial X-Ray machines were not shielded and was just a "bare" X-Ray tube on a stand with the high-tension wires attached.  
   
  I also remember the shoe fitting X-Ray machines from the 1950's which are now banned by Federal and State laws.  Wonder if we will ever know how much damage was done by these machines?  They were a great attraction to the kids.
  
Bob