X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation that can penetrate materials and are used in medical imaging to see inside the body. Wilhelm Röntgen discovered X-rays in 1895 while experimenting with cathode ray tubes. He noticed a fluorescent screen glowing nearby even when covered, and realized the rays could pass through some materials but not others like bone. This allowed him to see the outline of bones in his hand, demonstrating their medical application. Today, X-rays are widely used in medicine, industry, and research due to their ability to penetrate soft tissue while being blocked by denser materials like bones and metals.