A Neurotech History Series
Until the 1920s, no one had successfully recorded the brain’s electrical activity from outside the skull.
German psychiatrist Hans Berger developed the electroencephalogram (EEG), demonstrating that tiny electrical signals from the brain could be measured non-invasively from the scalp.
EEG opened a completely new window into brain function and quickly became an essential clinical and research tool.
Modern hospital EEG systems and consumer brain-sensing devices trace their origins to Berger’s pioneering work.
Last Updated on July 22, 2026 | Published: July 22, 2026