thumb|240px|right|a low quality fiberscope observing the inside of an antique clock mechanism. note how individual fibers are discernable, as each fiber only relays one general color. a fiberscope is a flexible fiber optic bundle with an eyepiece on one end and a lens on the other that is used to examine and inspect small, hard to reach places such as the insides of machines, locks, and the human body. == history == the concept of fiber optics began in 1854 when john tyndall discovered that light could be conducted through a curved stream of water, proving that light could be bent. then in 1930, heinrich lamm, a german medical student, became the first person to put together a bundle of optical fibers to carry an image. these discoveries led to the invention of endoscopes and fiberscopes. in the 1960s the endoscope was upgraded with glass fiber, a flexible material that allowed light to transmit, even when bent. while this provided users with the capability of real-time observation, it did not provide them with the ability to take photographs. in 1964 the fiberscope, the first gastro camera, was invented. it was the first time an endoscope had a camera that could take pictures. this innovation led to more careful observations, and more accurate diagnosis.  == optics == fiberscopes work by utilizing the science of fiber optic bundles, which consist of numerous fiber optic cables. fiber optic cables are made of optically pure glass and are as thin as a humanâs hair. the 3 main components to a fiber optic cable are: *core â the center made of high purity glass *cladding â the outer material surrounding the core that prevents light from leaking *buffer coating â the protective plastic coating there are two different fiber optic bundles in a fiberscope, these include: *illumination bundle â designed to carry light from the source to the eyepiece. *imaging bundle â designed to carry an image from the lens to the eyepiece.  ===total internal reflection=== fiber optic cables use total internal reflection to digitally carry information. when light travels from one medium to another it is refracted. if the light is traveling from a less dense medium to a dense medium it is refracted away from the normal. the opposite applies if the light is traveling from a dense medium to a less dense medium. in optic cables, light travels through the dense glass core (high refractive index) by constantly refle
Danish_inventions Endoscopy Fiber_optics Medical_equipment Optical_devices