August 28 – an elderly Fraserburgh man becomes the first patient in the world to have a whole body scan. It picked up tumours in his liver which would eventually claim his life.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) then also known as NMR, is revolutionary. Unlike X-rays, it has no risk of radiation.
It was developed by an Aberdeen University team headed by Professor John Mallard, later made a Freeman of Aberdeen. Its true commercial potential was exploited elsewhere. Nor was the NHS quick to harness its use for everyday clinical use.
Other teams in Nottingham, London and the USA made significant contributions to MRI. Aberdeen continues to explore new applications beyond brain, tumour, bone and soft tissue scans. Around 25,000 MRI machines are now in daily use around the world.