Q: I found an old X-ray machine in the basement of where my wife grew up. I’ve tried many times to find out how it was used. I think it’s from a doctor’s office. Are there any collectors that would be interested in this early medical device?
A: Wilhelm Rontgen discovered X-rays, which he called X-radiation, in 1895. Early X-ray machines had a transformer, capacitor, interrupter, and a spark gap. The spark gap is the space between the two metal balls pictured here. An electric spark passed between the two balls. Early X-ray machines required much higher doses of radiation and much longer exposure than modern machines. Exposure time went from an hour and a half in 1896 to milliseconds today. Vintage X-ray equipment is hard to sell. A medical museum might be interested in it as a donation. There are several in the United States that can be easily located on the internet.
I collect antique x-ray equipment. You can contact me at chris at tkd dot ninja. Happy to help.
Some large hospitals and some larger doctor’s offices actually use antique medical equipment as decorations. Also, contact interior designers who do homes and offices for doctors.