Shoe Fitting X-Ray Device

In the late 1940's and early 1950's, the shoe-fitting x-ray unit was a common shoe store sales promotion device and nearly all stores had one.  It was estimated that there were 10,000 of these devices in use. This particular shoe-fitting x-ray unit was produced by the dominant company in the field, the Adrian X-Ray Company of Milwaukee WI, now defunct. Brooks Stevens, a noted industrial designer whose works included the the Milwaukee Road Olympian and an Oscar Meyer Wienermobile, designed this machine. [Large image 27K]

The primary component of a shoe-fitting x-ray unit was the fluoroscope which consisted essentially of an x-ray tube mounted near the floor and wholly or partially enclosed in a shielded box and a fluorescent screen. The x-rays penetrated the shoes and feet and then struck the fluorescent light. This resulted in an image of the feet within the shoes. The fluorescent image was reflected to three viewing ports at the top of the cabinet, where the customer, the salesperson, and a third person (your mother?) could view the image at the same time.

The radiation hazards associated with shoe fitting x-ray units were recognized as early as 1950. The machines were often out of adjustment and were constructed so radiation leaked into the surrounding area.

By 1970, shoe fitting x-ray units had been banned in 33 states including Minnesota and strict regulation in the remaining 17 states made their operation impractical. Believe it or not, this particular shoe-fitting x-ray unit was found in 1981 in a department store in Madison, West Virginia.  It was still being used in the store's shoe department! When it was pointed out to the store managers that it was against West Virginia law to operate a shoe-fitting x-ray unit, they donated it to the The U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

On permanent loan from the U. S. FDA, the power supply is disconnected on this shoe-fitting x-ray unit. Photos by B. Gaukel and J.J. Gaukel.

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Links

• Center for Devices and Radiological Health Guidance on Electronic Products which Emit Radiation
• DistList Archives "x-ray shoe machine"
• History of the Oregon Radiation Control Law
• The Picture of Health It's What's Inside That Counts with X-rays, Other Imaging Methods by Tamar Nordenberg
• Radiation Continuing Concern with Fluoroscopy by Ricki Lewis, Ph.D.
• Radiobiology for Radiographic Anatomy (course introduction) by Max L. Baker, Ph.D., Department of Radiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
• Risks of Radiation at the Columbia University College of  P & S Complete Home Medical Guide
• Shoe-Fitting Fluoroscope (ca. 1930-1940)
• The Trail of Invisible Light: A Century of Medical Imaging - Expanding Knowledge by Adrienne Drapkin, Director, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Medical Museum
• The Tricho System - x-ray depilatory from the 1920's
• Were those old shoe store fluoroscopes a health hazard? - The Straight Dope

ABOUT BROOKS STEVENS

• The History of the Wienermobile
• Brooks Stevens, designer of the Wagoneer by John Meister with links to other Stevens auto designs.  Part of the International Full Size Jeep Association website.
• Milwaukee Art Museum: Decorative Arts - see the Brooks Stevens Archive section.

HISTORY OF X-RAYS

• Fluoroscope -- Encarta® Concise Encyclopedia Article - definition
• The History of Radiology - Dr. Scott Klioze, M.D. (Radiology) online lecture and slide show in real audio
• The Roentgen Centennial 1895 - 1995 by Richard Terrass
• The World Discovers the Xray at A Century of Radiology
• The X-Ray Century - December 1896: A review of  Something About X Rays for Everybody by Edward Trevert. Includes an illustration of a simple fluoroscope.