100 years ago, people couldn’t imagine what they could see in the dark. But today night vision devices have become completely usual accessories for us. They are widely used for military purposes, as well as for hunting and observing wildlife. Looking at this amazing invention appears the question Who invented night vision goggles, binoculars, and monoculars? You will be surprised when you know the answer.
Who invented night vision goggles & binoculars?
NV goggles and binoculars have a lot in common – they both have two eyepieces, are compact and lightweight. The first binoculars were invented in far 1609. At that time, it was possible to see distant objects only through a spyglass, which was very inconvenient. Galileo Galilee was the first who decided to fasten the two eyepieces together. Then this idea was picked up by Dutch scientists and after several tries appeared a first binocular
Germany or America: the first night vision devices
In 1939 Germany first equipped its army with such NV devices. They were quite bulky and required additional infrared illumination. During World War II, America began developing its series of night vision devices, but they were still heavy and badly passed the image.
IIT and MCP
After the war, large funds began to be allocated for the development of NV devices, because it had the sense. In the middle of the 1960s, the image intensifier tube and micro-channel plate were invented. It was the revolution in the night vision industry. From that moment all the NV accessories have become compact and lightweight, could show a clear image, and did not require additional infrared illumination. And exactly 1960s became the beginning of new life for binoculars – appeared night vision binoculars and little later goggles.
It is worth telling a few words about how the main element of any modern night vision device is arranged – the image intensifier tube (IIT). Every object reflects light. NV device lenses captured reflected photons (light) and convert them into electrons. Then electrons pass to the microchannel plate (MCP).
A microchannel plate is a plate of glass fibers with hundreds of micro-holes located on its surface. The plate's task is to increase the number of electrons. The more holes, the more electrons will be bounced off the plate. The more electrons, the clearer the image on the user's screen will be.
IIT is assembled only by hand in a specially equipped room. All parts are tightly connected using metal, then all air is removed. The image intensifier tube is placed in another plastic tube, which will further protect all parts of IIT from damage in case of a fall.
The finished tube can be so small that it fits easily into the smallest binoculars or goggles. Every year the NV devices are improving and becoming lighter. Their functionality and the quality of image transmission are increasing from Gen to Gen.
New generation
NV binoculars and goggles are equally in great demand among buyers. Each of these accessories has its advantages. Binoculars allow you to see objects at a very big distance, but they are heavy and must be constantly held in your hands. Goggles don’t give you that much magnification as the first option, but it's lightweight and leaves your hands free.
It is quite difficult to answer the question of who invented the first night vision binoculars and goggles – ancient or military scientists. Most of the discoveries have already been made by people many years ago, our generation only improves and completes them.