Where Did It All Start?
A NASA engineer named Eugene Lally first coined the concept of digital photography during the 1960s. He worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he studied how mosaic photosensors could be used to capture digital images of space.
His research was further continued by multiple NASA engineers. During this time, they tried creating lightweight and compact picture sensors that could tolerate the harsh outer world atmosphere. The term "picture or image sensor" was commonly used for this invention. In 1965, Frederic Billingsley (a prominent JPL researcher) coined the term "pixel."
In the 1990s, Eric Fossum led a team of JPL researchers who worked on improving the image sensors. They focused on specific types, such as the CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor image sensors). Their purpose was simple - to make the size of cameras smaller while maintaining the image quality. This could reduce the space these cameras would occupy in the spacecraft.
CMOS was specifically targeted for research because it was similar to microprocessors in construction. The single-chip design allowed the sensors to do more while consuming less energy. They were also more efficient in manufacturing in terms of cost and time.
However, during this research, Eric Fossum invented a unique sensor at JPL called the active-pixel sensor. The pixels within this sensor could amplify electrical output, greatly improving the image quality. More prototypes were also created in this time period. This made Eric realize that these image sensors had applications beyond the world of space. The image sensors could be used to revolutionize gadgets around the globe.
Were Smartphones on the Radar?
No, initially, the smartphones were not on the radar. In 1992, the first smartphone was invented and it wasn't until the 2000s that these devices gained popularity. So, the space engineers didn't give it much attention.
In 1995, Eric Fossum created a new company in Pasadena. It was called PhotoBit and was the first company to introduce image sensor technology to the world. It licensed the technology and sold it to businesses who wanted to incorporate it into their devices.
By 2001, around a million of PhotoBit's sensors were being used in cameras, medical tools, and other devices. Micron Technology acquired the company, and that's exactly when smartphones gained popularity. Since these image sensors were already being used in many gadgets, the idea of incorporating them into smartphones was no-brainer. By 2008, smartphone cameras started becoming more advanced with features like zoom and motion detection.
Last Words
NASA's image sensor wasn't meant for smartphones. Its purpose was to facilitate space projects. However, the development of smaller and better-quality cameras led to a bigger revolution. Devices around the world have cameras, including smartphones!
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