“The Pioneers of the maxillaris sinus diaphanoscopy (transillumination)”. As soon as Edison's lamp was introduced in Europe at the end of 19th century, three ENT surgeons emerged as the pioneers of maxillary sinus diaphanoscopy. Cozzolino was the first to introduce an Edison lamp through the mouth into the oropharynx to inspect the nasal fossae. Voltolini, by moving the lamp forward into the mouth, discovered the maxillary sinus diaphanoscopy. Heryng codified the clinical significance of the maxillary sinus diaphanoscopy.