A CCD (charge coupled device) camera is a device that turns detected light into electrical signals that can be read by a computer. CCDs are one of the main technologies used in digital imaging.
Invention
The concept behind CCD cameras was invented by Willard S. Boyle and George E. Smith on October 19, 1969. While working on charge storage in diodes, they came up with the theory behind the CCD in a half hour of brainstorming.
Original Intent
While Boyle and Smith originally intended the CCD to work as a memory storage device, and their first models were built with this function in mind, it quickly became clear that CCDs could also be used for imaging.
Competition with Film
When CCDs cameras were first introduced they did poorly in competition with film cameras, especially in scientific uses. CCD cameras of the time had poor resolution, and despite their low weight, cost and energy efficiency, film was still preferred.
Use in Satellites
CCD cameras became a major success when they were used in satellites. Due to background radiation, film was unusable in space,and CCD cameras were smaller and more efficient than any other digital imaging technologies in use at the time.
Success
As CCD cameras continued to be refined and improved, they reached levels of resolution that could match normal film cameras. Today CCD detectors are a part of many consumer digital cameras.
Tags: cameras were, digital imaging, film cameras
