When X-Rays Were All the Rage, a Trip to Shoe Store Was Dangerously Illuminating

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14 pointsbaybal24 comments

There was one of these in a shoe store when I was about 7 or 8. (Early-mid 1950s) We all wanted see what the bones in our feet looked like. We kept going in and asking to use it.

I thought they were just being spoil-sports when they said we couldn't use it too often or it would 'bad for us'.

I actually remember seeing these dangerous contraptions in shoe shops when I was a kid. I tried to have my feet measured in them as they were curious objects to a boy of my age but it never happened, it seems that by then they were either artifacts left over from a past era or that their dangers had been recognized.

My dad used to tell me about these. He commonly would use them when his parents took him to the shoe store in the early 50s, Northern California.

He occasionally has related this fact to podiatrists pals, who generally are shocked to discover such a thing ever existed.

I'd think the mid 1950s would be about the time they were phased out. Although I can't say I've ever heard of them being made illegal to use but I suppose they must have been at some time or another.

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