Synchrotron radiation is now a gigantic worldwide enterprise involving tens of thousands of researchers. Quite famous in this field are the landmark accomplishments of illuminated pioneers like Dave Shirley. Somewhat less known, however, are the historical roots of the field-in particular, how its theoretical foundations were established: this causes widespread misconceptions. An objective and thorough historical analysis of all the key players and events can place current research in context and reveal interesting aspects of synchrotron radiation that help a wide audience gain understanding of this fascinating multidisciplinary domain. 2022 Author(s).