Who is credited with the invention of X-rays?

Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen is credited with the invention of X-rays, which he discovered on November 8, 1895. Roentgen was experimenting with cathode rays and noticed that a nearby fluorescent screen began to glow even though it was not in the direct path of the rays. Upon further investigation, he found that these invisible rays could penetrate various materials and produce images of the bones and internal structures of living organisms, leading to the development of X-ray technology.

This breakthrough had profound implications for medicine and diagnostics, revolutionizing the way internal conditions were visualized and assessed, thus improving patient care and treatment. Roentgen's work laid the foundation for medical imaging, and he was awarded the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901 for his discovery.

While other figures listed in the options made significant contributions to science and technology, none are associated with the invention of X-rays like Roentgen is.