100 years X-rays are an occasion for a survey: the history of their di
scovery leads into the world of the ending 19(th) century, their medic
al application is closely connected to the rapid development of scienc
e and technology in our time. This year historic reflections about X-r
ays can be found in nearly every relevant scientific journal, therefor
e specific Austrian remeniscences were considered especially. The prog
ress of medical applications of X-rays was not continuous but occured
in distinct steps, depending on new technologies. Computer tomography,
by example, became possible only in using electronic data processing.
In the nearly reached next millenium an X-ray laser will be construct
ed. What will it involve?