Image intensifier tube by Philips, Holland, late 1950s

An image intensifier amplifies light and increases the brightness of an image. This device converts X-ray images formed at the fluorescent coating on the larger end of the tube into a pattern of electrons. The electrons are accelerated and reproduce the image on another smaller fluorescent screen at the other end of the tube. The effect makes the final image over 10,000 times brighter than the original.