History of Night Vision Goggles (NVG)

Since the first war, night time has always been an obstacle because without the light how can one hope to find the enemy? Without the availablity of Night Vision Googles, soldiers engaged in battle at night used various means over the time to illuminate the battlefield, early times it was fire and more recent times, electric search lights. However the use of such methods had one major disadvantage. These lights on the battlefield showed the enemy exactly where the soldiers were, and what they were doing. Modern night vision googles would have caused much havoc had they been available back then.

It wasn't until around the 1950's that scientists and engineers within the US Army discovered a method to capture the faint light, which was electromagnetic radiation, that was not within the visible spectrum for the human eye. From this they created equipment to enable soldiers to fight as well during the night as they did in the daytime. The quote was "Own the Night". Thus night vision googles in their first form were born.

Around the mid 1960's the engineers and scientists had created the first generation of so called passive night vision units, this included what was know as a Starlight Scope that could be used as a night vision rifle scope. This was the forerunner for what night vision goggles and equipment is available today. This was what is know as first generation night vision. The techs would continue over the years to deliver the second, and the third generation of night vision equipment, all the time improving upon themselves.

The first night vision rifle scope (the Starlight Scope) was first put to practical use within the Vietnam War. This provided the soldiers with an advantage when facing an enemy that was frequently using the cover of night to fight the war. This was the proving ground, and showed its true potential in a military situation.

Early night vision goggles were very expensive, and as such were not available for open purchase by consumers. Night vision googles have come a long way since that initial discovery. Not only has the night vision technology evolved into a formidable tool for the military, but night vision googles are now available for the general public.