X-ray images, Nietzsche estate join UNESCO Memory of World register

The first X-ray images ever taken are now part of the Memory of the World Register of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The German Commission for UNESCO announced their inclusion of the images produced by physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen (1845-1923) on Friday.

A Munich manuscript of the Babylonian Talmud, one of the most important writings of Judaism, was also included in the register, as is the literary estate of the famed philosopher of nihilism, Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900).

A total of 74 new documents have been added to the register, which includes books, manuscripts, musical scores, and audio and film recordings of outstanding value to human history. It now contains more than 500 entries.

The X-ray images are pictures that Röntgen took in the course of his research into the electromagnetic radiation. The images include, among others, pictures of Röntgen’s own hands, those of his wife Anna Bertha, and even of his hunting rifle.

The German UNESCO Commission says the Munich manuscript of the Babylonian Talmud is the only one in the world to contain the complete text of the work. The 14th century manuscript has been in the possession of the Bavarian State Library since 1803.

Nietzsche’s literary estate is currently held at several sites in Germany and Switzerland. His collected works have been the subject of repeated disputes, revisions and new editions.

The German UNESCO Commission explained that the original manuscripts are therefore of particular importance for understanding his philosophy.