Russell Gordon: Night Vision Device -- Article & US
Patent

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**David GORDON**

**Night Vision Device**

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***Popular Science* ( January 1929 )**

Seeing at night or in the dark is aided by the device invented
by David Gordon of Bridgeport, Conn. Looking into the instrument
with one eye, the observer sees a spot of light that is
controlled as to size and intensity. This gives the appearance
to the other eye that the light is projected or flashed on the
scene observed. As shown in the drawing, the sky becomes lighter
while the objects, which are originally darker in color, remain
black. The instrument is regulated by a rheostat controlled by
batteries, and contains a bulb that gives off light to a ground
glass and a hole in a film.

![](gordon1.jpg)

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**US Patent # 2,374,991**

**Device for Aiding Night Vision**

The present invention relates to a device for aiding night
vision, and particularly an optical device for observing night
or darkened scenes without the aid of a flashlight or other
artificial source of illumination projected on such scenes. It
is proposed to provide a device of this character adapted to be
placed in front of one eye of the observer, to produce within
its line of vision a spot of light controlled as to size and
intensity, for the purpose to thereby increasing the perceptive
ability of the other eye which views the scene directly.

A further object is to provide such a device which may be
conveniently used either with the naked eye, or in conjunction
with an auxiliary seeing aid, the latter being for instance, a
telescope, a periscope, a gun sight, dark glasses, and the like,
depending upon the particular circumstances and type of scene
being viewed. The device will find use in marine, air,
underwater, and land observation, as well as in darkened
interiors. In addition to its night use it may find use in
giving an increased brightness to the appearance of scenes in
the day time, and also for aiding the vision of people having
impaired eyesight.

With the above and other objects in view, embodiments of the
invention are shown above in the accompanying drawing, and these
embodiments will be hereinafter more fully described with
reference thereto, and the invention will be finally pointed out
in the claim.

In the drawing ---

**Fig. 1** is a diagrammatic view illustrating the general
principle of the invention, and showing the relation of a night
scene which is directly in the view of one eye, while the other
eye has the device of the invention placed in its line of
vision.

![](fig1.jpg)

**Fig. 2** is a plain view of a slide member for use in the
device for varying the size of the light spot.

![](fig2-3.jpg)

**Figure 3** is a plan view of a segment member for use in
the device for varying the size of the light spot.

**Fig. 4** is a plan view of an iris member for use in the
device for varying the size of the light spot, and a shutter for
use in the connection therewith.

![](fig4-5.jpg)

**Fig. 5** is a plan view of an iris member similar to that
shown in Fig 4 but without the shutter.

**Fig. 6** is a perspective view showing one form of the
device, and showing the eyes of the observer in relation
thereto.

![](fig6.jpg)

**Fig. 7** is a perspective view of another form of the
device, and shown the eyes of the observer in relation thereto.

![](fig7.jpg)

**Fig. 8** is a diagrammatic plan view plan view, showing
the use of the device in connection with a periscope.

![](fig8.jpg)

**Fig. 9** is a diagrammatic view plan view, sowing the use
of the device in connection with a telescope.

![](fig9-10.jpg)

**Fig. 10** is a diagrammatic plan view, showing the use of
the device in connection with a gun sight.

**Fig. 11** is a plan view of a measuring screen attachment
for use within the device.

![](fig11.jpg)

**Fig. 12** is a diagrammatic plan view, showing te use of
the device in connection with a pair of dark spectacles.

![](fig12.jpg)

**Fig. 13** is a perspective view, showing the manner in
which the device is used for viewing a night scene.

![](fig13.jpg)

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts
throughout the several figures of the drawing.

Referring to the drawing, and in particular to Fig 1 which
illustrated the general principle of the invention, the left eye
1 of the observer is shown as directly viewing the night scene
3, while the right eye 2 of the observer has the device of the
invention interposed in its line of vision. This device consists
of a lens 6 which brings into focus an iris diaphragm 4, the
opening 9 of which is increased or diminished by operation of a
handle 25. The diaphragm 4 is suitably placed intermediately the
ends of a casing 19, the lens 6 being provided at one end of a
casing while the other end constitutes an opaque closure, within
which a light bulb 5 is interposed in the line of vision through
the opening 9. A ground glass 8 is provided between the aperture
9 and the light bulb 5 so that when the light bulb is lighted a
diffused spot of light is seen through the opening 9, the size
of this spot of light being controlled by varying the size of
the opening. A screen 22 may be interposed between the aperture
and the ground glass, and as shown in Fig 11, may have measuring
calibration 23 provided thereon for the purpose of calculating
distance in a manner similar to a range finder.

The light bulb 5 is energized by suitable batteries provided in
a battery case 11, and may be controlled as to its intensity by
a rheostat 12. It has been found that a suitable light bulb 5 is
a 2.7 type bulb energized by two 3-volt batteries and controlled
by a rheostat of 30 ohms resistance. As shown in Fig 7, the
rheostat may be provided with a knob 13, which may be turned to
give the desired dimming and brightening of the spot of light as
exposed through the aperture 9. By turning quickly back and
forth the spot of light may be driven the effect of a series of
light impulses. The circuit of the light bulb is opened and
closed by means of a switch 14. The form of the device, as shown
in Fig 7, s provided with a handle 18 for conveniently holding
it, as shown for instance Fig. 13.

In Fig 2 there is shown a slide member 17 having a series of
apertures 9 of gradually increasing size, this member adapted to
be used as an alternative for the iris diaphragm 4, for varying
the size of the light spot.

In Fig 3, there is shown a segment member 15 having a series of
apertures 9 of gradually increasing size, and adapted to be
rotated or swung by a handle 18, this member also adapted to be
used as an alternative for varying the size of the light spot.

As shown in Fig 4 and Fig 7, an opaque shutter 7 may be
incorporated in the device in a position to be moved into
relation with the aperture 9 to open and close it, this movement
being accomplished through a handle 18. This shutter 7 has a
circular periphery 28, and in operation may be rotated or swung
over the aperture 9 for the purpose of giving a series of flash
effects, as well as for the purpose of cutting down the light of
the aperture.

In Fig 8 the device of the invention is shown in conjunction
with a periscope 26, the device being interposed in the line of
vision of the right eye 2, while the periscope is interposed in
the line of vision with the left eye 1.

In Fig 9 the device s shown as connected by a support 24 to a
telescope 20, the device being in the line of vision of the
right eye 2, while the telescope is interposed in the line of
vision of the left eye 1.

In Fig 10, the device is shown as used in connection with a gun
21 having the usual un sights, the device being shown in the
line of vision of the right eye 2, while the gun sights vision
of the right eye 2, while the gun sights are shown in the line
of vision of the left eye 1.

Fig 12 shows the device in connection with a pair of dark
glasses 27, its use in this manner being especially for
observing objects against the glare of the sun, as for instance,
airplanes n the sky during the day time. These glasses may, if
desired, be of various colors for giving novel effects to
particular scenes.

While I have described my invention it will be understand that
the various parts of the invention may be changed without
departing from the spirit thereof, and hence I do not limit
myself to the present construction set forth, but consider
myself at liberty to make changes within the scope of the
invention.

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