Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen was a German physicist born on March 27, 1845. He is best known for discovering X-rays in 1895, which revolutionized medical imaging. His groundbreaking work earned him the first-ever Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901, recognizing his significant contributions to science. Roentgen's discovery occurred while he was experimenting with cathode rays. He noticed a fluorescent glow from a nearby screen, leading him to investigate further. This led to the identification of a new type of radiation, which could penetrate solid objects, allowing doctors to see inside the human body without surgery.