X-Ray, Violet Ray, and other Rays by Maynard Shipley

To enumerate and describe all the practical uses of X-rays, apart from medicine and scientific research in general, would require a good many more pages than can be devoted to the subject here. To take a few cases at random, without describing the instruments and methods employed: radiography reveals flaws in the structure of iron and steel building and bridge materials, and in the cylinders of airplane engines, and so avoids accidents. In England a gasoline or petrol tank was shown to have rivet heads on the outside and none on the inside.

Serious defects in the steel axles of railway and automobile "under carriages" have been discovered by radiography. In one case, at least, the axles had been drilled in the wrong position and the holes had been simply filled with metal and covered over. An entire lot was rejected in consequence and probably serious accidents were forestalled.