Conquest of Darkness by Management of the Stars

摘要

This text was presented as the Thomas B. Dowd Memorial Lecture for 1991 nationalInfrared Information Symposium (IRIS). The history of Army Night Vision from World War II to 1972 proves how the right organization with talented people and proper support can succeed. This presentation not only illustrates the growth of image intensifier technology and families of equipment, but the key events and stars that made it all happen. Described are the management techniques used and how to organize for effective research, development, engineering, and production programs; the evolution of the Far Infrared Common Module program is described; and how the Night Vision Laboratory was unique.