When was thermal imaging invented and who

Thermal imaging is an important invention of mankind. It is used everywhere for the benefit of mankind. However, this was not always the case. A few centuries ago, this technology was in its infancy. For a long time it developed, improved, reaching its current state. To appreciate the importance of thermal imaging, you should carefully study its history. It is quite interesting and will captivate even for people who previously did not know about its existence.

When was thermal imaging invented and who

Thermal imaging (TI) originated about two centuries ago. A more precise date does not exist, since at that time many scientists were engaged in various experiments and almost simultaneously discovered a previously unknown phenomenon. At the same time, William Herschel made the most significant contribution to the emergence of thermal imaging. This scientist of German origin became famous for discovering the planet Uranus. He conducted his research not at home, but in England, where he lived from the age of 19. In parallel, he was fond of music and was considered one of the best virtuoso musicians. Later he devoted himself entirely to astronomy. He designed telescopes and other devices that helped him learn all the secrets of space. In 1781, he was able to detect Uranus, and a few years later, his satellites. He also studied Saturn and other planets. Over time, Herschel was looking for ways to suppress the brightness of stars observed through a telescope. This was the first step in the creation of TI.

Herschel conducted many experiments with various materials and found that some of them practically did not transmit light, while others did not block even a third of its rays. At the same time, the latter let in heat, which makes it impossible to observe celestial bodies. As a result, Herschel set himself the goal of finding a material that would simultaneously suppress brightness and keep out heat. He re-performed the experiments of Newton and Landriani, but unlike them, he was able to correctly interpret the results. He called his discovery “thermometric spectrum”, and the found radiation – “invisible rays”. Later, the latter became known as IR radiation. This happened a few decades later and it is not known exactly who coined this name. At the same time, it was the discovery of the IR spectrum that became the starting point in the creation of thermal imaging.

How thermal imaging started

TI technologies used today should be considered the starting point of its history in the years 1790-1840. It was at this time that William Herschel discovered infrared radiation, producing the first thermal image. He was also able to transfer his results to paper and called the created thermal picture a thermogram.

In the following years, the development of TI was practically not observed. Only in 1880 did a real breakthrough happen. It happened thanks to Samuel Langley. This American astronomer showed the whole world his new invention, called a bolometer. It was a slightly modified thermometer with increased sensitivity and some design changes. With the help of such a device, he measured infrared and thermal radiation. Langley’s invention became a real sensation, as people managed to detect heat-radiating objects located 300-400 meters away.

The next stage of formation was 1929. At this time, the Hungarian scientist Kalman Tihanyi, who worked in the UK, built a TI camera for soldiers. She had the maximum, at that time, sensitivity and could detect even minimal IR rays. The existence of this equipment was kept secret, as it was actively used for the defense of the country. However, in 1956, Tihanyi’s invention was seen by everyone. Further improvement of TI is inextricably linked with the military sphere. In the next 10 years, a lot of developments appeared (most often secret). Of the noteworthy innovations that have become known to the public, the opening of several companies that collaborated with the US military stands out. It called for the introduction of single-element sensors at TI. Thanks to this, it was possible to scan a large area and form linear images. Further developments in this direction were stopped due to huge financial costs. In addition, the military asked that all information about the new sensors be classified so that opponents could not use it. This request was granted, but a few years later the created models were still shown to the public. Later they became the basis for the creation of modern TI equipment, which is still used today.

In 1970-1975, Philips took over the development of TI devices. It has produced a pyroelectric sensor used to search for electromagnetic IR waves. Based on its design and everything previously created, Philips assembled TI equipment that was used to detect fires. This invention helped put out fires faster, so it was actively used in the Navy to eliminate ship fires. In 1979, another well-known company, Raytheon, introduced ferroelectric IR sensors to the public. They were created from unique materials and perfectly performed their task. Due to the efficiency of work, such detectors have become in demand in military units. At the same time, FLIR began manufacturing TI devices for the civilian population. Their technique was used to quickly detect breakdowns of various mechanisms (determined heat losses), and protect objects. In addition, it was used in search and rescue operations, civil aviation and security systems.

In the 1980s, several companies created microbolometers. They made TI devices more efficient and increased their range. The innovation interested the military leadership of the country, and they signed a contract with the developers. In the early 1990s, thermal imaging equipment began to gain popularity. The volume of its production increased dramatically, and the percentage of models produced for the military and civilians was approximately the same. This circumstance led to the fact that TI began to actively take root in various industries. A few years later, it was considered mandatory for fire brigades, law enforcement agencies, and security services.

The increase in production of TI devices has led to a gradual decrease in their cost. This made the new technology accessible even to people with little financial resources. Between 2000 and 2010, TI began to be exploited for domestic purposes. With their help, coolant leaks were determined, buildings were inspected, and many other work was performed. In the 20s of our century, TI equipment became indispensable in the performance of certain work. It is widely used in various fields, thereby making modern technologies in demand and accessible to everyone. Today, technology continues to develop rapidly. New developments appear every year, which are quickly introduced into various fields of activity and bring great benefits to people.

First uses of thermal imaging cameras

The first TI model was invented by C. Tihanyi in 1929. She was not like modern models, but she knew how to find IR radiation. This development was actively used by the air defense forces of Great Britain, helping them to protect the territory of the kingdom. Improved TI cameras appeared after the end of World War II. They became more efficient, but still processed the data, and also formed the image for a long time. In the decades that followed, thermal imaging took several steps forward. TI cameras evolved along with it. At this time, they began to be exploited not only by military personnel. In the civil sphere, such equipment was actively used in industry, medicine, agriculture, and aviation. In addition, it was found in dozens of other industries. In our time, the scope of TI cameras has expanded even more. They can be found everywhere, from simple farms to scientific laboratories or military installations.

Thermal imaging has taken its rightful place in our world. This technology originated about two centuries ago, after which it actively developed and became more useful to mankind. Today, her story does not end. In the near future, people will see many innovations that will be a real breakthrough in this industry.