Historical essentials influencing the development of radiooncology in the past 100 years.

An overview of the development in the recent 100 years is given. The work of the most important pioneers is described. Both technical preconditions and radiobiological fundamentals influencing advances in radiotherapy are lined out. It is shown that many modern techniques and therapeutical strategies have their origin in the beginning of radiotherapy and that this is the case for many unsolved problems as well.