This system dates back
to 1970, and was the first commercial large format scanner.
Visicon was founded in State College, PA by Document
Management's founder, Richard Stover. The Visicon system
consisted of a drum-type scanner that output to computer
tape. It utilized Reticon's newly developed CCD chip,
which was one inch long and had a resolution of 100DPI.
The CCD array was passed over the drawing as it spun
on the drum. It's an understatement to say that this
system was way ahead of its time and market. Nobody
got rich from Visicon, but it sure was fun! Mark wasn't
allowed to take any of them apart at the time. But he
fondly |
The
Visicon System circa 1970. |
remembers checking out all the cool components
of the hand-built systems as he mopped the floors
and emptied the trash. Visicon merged with Broomall
Industries of Broomall, PA in 1973. |
|