Notes on the technical evolution of night vision devices.

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The most significant breakthrough would have to be the invention of passive,light amplifying tubes that worked on light in much the same manner as vacuum tubes worked in electricity.These units,actually amplified weak moonlight,or even starlight to produce a monochrome image of the scene being viewed.

Second generation night vision goggles made the theory into reality;allowing determined viewers to actually see in medium starlight conditions,or with an infrared booster, in total darkness.
A new type of spy equipment was not available.

Second generation tubes were the first practical units.First gen scopes models were certainly better than nothing,but their gain was low,they were bulky and a bit fragile(although the 2 last point i just listed aren't much of an issue anymore with recently released 1st gen models).If first generation units are pictured as vacuum tubes, seconds are transistors.

Each subsequent development improved the scope's low light capabilities as well as adding resolution and tube life.These stages were important in several respects, but none were radical enough to be considered a new generation.More of an upgrade.

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