Since 1895, orthopaedic surgery needs X-ray imaging: a historical overview from discovery to computed tomography.

The first application of X-ray techniques to human beings was made in Germany by Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen in November 1895. From this first use, different groups became interested in creating and improving the technical devices. Focusing on Germany, in honour of the centenary of the awarding of the first Nobel Prize in Physics to Röntgen in 1901, we present some of the milestones in X-ray imaging, from the first pioneer's approach on glass plates, cathode X-ray tubes, fluoroscopy, earlier communications leading to X-ray films and screens, rotating xray tubes, tomography and CT, classic textbooks, radioprotection aspects, as well as some contributions in radiological techniques and orthopedic pathology.