Based on the telegraph, Werner von Siemens' new invention used a needle to point to the sequence of letters, instead of using Morse code.

[15][16] In Aschaffenburg, Germany, X-ray pioneer Friedrich Dessauer founded his own company, which later came to prominence under the name Veifa-Werke.

[18] Supported by Siemens in Erlangen, Inge Edler, a Swedish physician, and physicist Carl Hellmuth Hertz were intrigued by the idea of using ultrasound technology to achieve more precise heart diagnoses.

[21][15] In 1974, The company exhibited its first tomographic image of a human head at an annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, in Chicago.

[15][26] In a similar fashion, Siemens launched the Biograph mMR in 2010, the first scanner to completely combine MRI and PET technologies.

[27][28] Like PET-CT, PET-MR hybrid systems combine multiple technologies to provide a better image of the body, enabling better diagnoses, research, and treatment plans for patients.

[31][32][33] CEO Bernd Montag introduced the name along with a five-minute celebratory dance routine performed outside the division's headquarters in Erlangen.

[40] In 2022 Siemens Healthineers has drawn criticism for its decision to continue operating in Russia despite the country’s invasion of Ukraine, which has led to widespread civilian casualties and international condemnation.

[41] This stance has been perceived by some as undermining global efforts to isolate Russia economically and diplomatically, particularly as international sanctions aim to pressure the country to cease its aggression against Ukraine.

[46] After the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Siemens Healthineers donated medical equipment to aid healthcare workers in their efforts to help victims.

[50] In the same year the company announced it would acquire Bayer's Diagnostics division, for €4.2 billion, boosting the business's offerings in a range of services for in-vitro diagnosis.

[clarification needed][56] In May 2016, Siemens Healthineers expanded its molecular diagnostics portfolio with the acquisition of NEO New Oncology AG.

[62][63] In August 2024, Siemens Healthineers bought the diagnostic arm of Advanced Accelerator Applications that specialises in producing radioactive chemicals used for cancer scan for more than $224 million.