Leading the Profession
Into the Next Century

In 2020, ASRT celebrated its Centennial anniversary. On this page you will find information and facts about the history of the world’s largest radiologic science association. Thank you for supporting the ASRT and its mission to advance and elevate the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession and to enhance the quality and safety of patient care.

Centennial News

- News Releases
Radiologic Technologists Play Crucial Role in COVID-19 Diagnosis

Nov 07, 2020
- ASRT Announcement
ASRT Launches Centennial Web Page

Jan 02, 2020
- News Releases
ASRT Unveils New Commemorative Logo, Big Plans for Centennial Anniversary

Sep 10, 2019

ASRT News Room

ASRT: Year by Year

Next Fact

Shadowmakers

The Shadowmakers: A History of Radiologic Technology, highlights the challenges, obstacles and successes ASRT has encountered during its 100-year history. The book covers the early pioneers in the profession, the Society’s formation and growth, legislative and regulatory initiatives, continuing education, technological advances and much more. Updated, revised and expanded!

Price: $84.95 ($75 donation + $9.95 shipping and handling). All proceeds benefit the ASRT Foundation

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Growing a Profession

Growing a Profession: A Chronicle of ASRT Affiliate Societies, written by William Brennan, M.A., R.T.(R)(CT), tells the story of the ASRT’s 54 affiliate societies and their role in supporting radiologic technologists at the state and local levels. Brennan is a former ASRT president and current associate executive director of the ASRT Museum and Archives. The keepsake edition includes some never-before-seen photographs that chronicle the rich history of the affiliates and profiles the volunteers who have served as affiliate leaders for close to 100 years.

Price: $84.95 ($75 donation + $9.95 shipping and handling). All proceeds benefit the ASRT Foundation

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Shadowmakers and Growing a Profession Combo

Price: $141.95 to receive both books ($125 donation + $16.95 shipping and handling). All proceeds benefit the ASRT Foundation

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Centennial Timeline

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists, established in 1920, is the world’s largest radiologic science association. Since the discovery of the x-ray in 1895, medical imaging and radiation therapy has advanced from a scientific curiosity to an essential and sophisticated diagnostic technology. The development of radiologic technology parallels an equally dramatic evolution in the role of the technologists responsible for operating advanced medical imaging equipment and those providing life-saving radiation therapy procedures.

ASRT’s growth has progressed hand-in-hand with the profession’s. This timeline charts milestones that have shaped the profession and highlights the innovative offerings ASRT has developed to meet the needs of its diverse membership.

We'd like to thank our 156,000 members for their commitment to providing patients with high-quality patient care. The ASRT wouldn't be where it is today without our members' unwavering support for the past 100 years.

Click on image to enlarge.

1895

German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen discovers the x-ray and within a year it is hailed as a medical miracle.

1896

First clinical use of x-rays by physicians.

1896

First use of radiation to treat cancer.

1901

Roentgen awarded first-ever Nobel Prize for physics.

1904

Thomas Edison’s assistant C.M. Dally dies of radiation exposure; called “a martyr to science.”

1913

Known for his many contributions to x-ray technology, William Coolidge invents the heated cathode x-ray tube, enabling external beam radiotherapy.

1914

Marie Curie designs vehicles to carry x-ray equipment to the battlefield in World War I.

1920

American Association of Radiological Technicians established; known today as the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT).

1927

Thirty-seven percent of all radiologic technologists are nuns.

1929

Organization begins publishing The X-Ray Technician.

1932

Organization changes its name to the American Society of X-Ray Technicians; membership reaches 400.

1941

The U.S. military trains thousands of servicemen as radiographers to provide care for wounded soldiers overseas during World War II.

1943-45

Annual meetings canceled to support war effort.

1948

ASXT membership climbs to 2,500.

Late 1940s

Radiographers take chest x-rays using mobile x-ray units to screen for tuberculosis.

1952

ASXT writes its first radiography curriculum; membership at 4,000.

1957

ASXT establishes the Student member category.

1964

Radiation therapy becomes a specialized field.

1964

Organization changes its name to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists and changes the name of its journal to Radiologic Technology.

1968

ASRT opens office in Chicago; membership at 14,000.

1971

First CT scan.

1975

ASRT launches voluntary continuing education program for R.T.s.

1977

Drs. Raymond V. Damadian, Lawrence Minkoff and Michael Goldsmith’s MRI scanner makes the first-ever MR image.

1979

Allan Cormack and Godfrey Hounsfield awarded Nobel Prize in Medicine for invention of computed tomography.

1979

ASRT launches National Radiologic Technology Week^®.

1981

Congress passes Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act.

1983

ASRT opens new national office in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

1984

ASRT Educational Foundation established to offer scholarships, research grants and other programs to pursue opportunities to enhance the quality and safety of patient care.

1986

ASRT House of Delegates formed.

1992

Congress enacts the Mammography Quality Standards Act ensuring all women have access to quality mammography.

1994

Membership reaches 28,500.

1995

Continuing education becomes mandatory for technologists registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

1995

Original Shadowmakers history published, marking ASRT's 75th anniversary.

1996

Membership climbs to 56,000.

1996

ASRT launched ASRT.com in early 1996, then changed it to asrt.org in December of that year.

1999

ASRT receives Piñon Quality Award.

2002

Membership reaches 100,000.

2004

ASRT completes a major renovation of its office in Albuquerque, New Mexico, that more than doubles the size of the facility.

2005

Online version of Radiologic Technology debuts. Membership reaches 120,000.

2009

Sal Martino, Ed.D., R.T.(R), FASRT, FASAE, CAE, becomes CEO and executive director.

2010

ASRT Board member Sandra Hayden, M.A., R.T.(T), FASRT, testifies at congressional hearing in support of the adoption of the CARE bill, a measure to advance national educational and certification standards for radiologic technologists.

2011

First clinical 3-D mammography exam performed in the U.S.

2013

ASRT membership exceeds 150,000.

2015

ASRT Museum and Archives opens.

2017

Directed Reading Flex Plan^® introduced for continuing education.

2010-2019

ASRT establishes multiple initiatives including, ASRT Radcademy®, Power of A, Roadmap guides in six categories, ASRT Communities, National Library Partnership and Student Exam Assessment Library®.

2020

ASRT Centennial marked.

Leading the Profession
Into the Next Century

Event Countdown

Centennial News

ASRT: Year by Year

Shop Centennial Commemorative Products!

Shadowmakers

Growing a Profession

Shadowmakers and Growing a Profession Combo

Centennial Timeline

ASRT Foundation Centennial Campaign Opportunities

Leading the Profession Into the Next Century

Event Countdown

Centennial News

ASRT: Year by Year

Shop Centennial Commemorative Products!

Shadowmakers

Growing a Profession

Shadowmakers and Growing a Profession Combo

Centennial Timeline

ASRT Foundation Centennial Campaign Opportunities

#ASRTCentennial

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Leading the Profession
Into the Next Century