South African Invention Hard to Believe it Was Invented Here
The CT Scan: A South African Invention
See how a South African invention, the CT scan, transformed medical imaging and saved countless lives.
In the early 1960s, a South African physicist named Allan Cormack was working at the University of Cape Town. He was fascinated by the challenge of visualizing soft tissues inside the human body. At that time, traditional X-rays were limited in their ability to distinguish between different soft tissues.
Cormack developed a mathematical technique to analyze X-ray data from multiple angles. This method allowed for the reconstruction of detailed images of internal body structures. His groundbreaking work laid the foundation for what would become the CT scan.
In 1971, British engineer Sir Godfrey Hounsfield built the first practical CT scanner, applying Cormack’s theoretical principles. This innovation enabled doctors to see inside the body without invasive surgery. The first human CT scan was performed at Atkinson Morley’s Hospital in London, revealing a brain tumor in a 41-year-old woman.
The impact of the CT scan on medicine has been profound. It has revolutionized diagnostics, allowing for early detection of diseases like cancer, stroke, and internal injuries. This advancement has saved countless lives and improved patient outcomes worldwide.
In recognition of their contributions, Cormack and Hounsfield were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1979. Their work exemplifies how a South African invention has shaped the world, making medical imaging more accessible and effective.
