Borescope cameras have completely revolutionised the way we can see what lies beneath the surface of water. They are able to view objects from above as well as below and provide images that would otherwise be impossible with a standard camera. They have changed the way hydropower stations, dams, seabed cables and underwater archaeology projects are conducted all over the world. Modern borescopes are flexible cable-tethered cameras that can be extended through pipes or drilled boreholes up to 1000 meters deep. The camera is then advanced through the pipe or through the borehole to capture images and video footage of what lies beneath the surface.

History of Borescope Cameras

The first borescope camera was invented by Dutch scientist Hans Jansen Van Vuuren in 1924. He developed a device that could be inserted into pipes and see what lay on the other side. This invention came about from his desire to conduct research into steam turbine blades without having to dismantle one every time he wanted to take a look at it. His first camera, which was constructed from aluminium, brass and glass, was rather large at 35cm in length and 7.62cm in diameter. It also weighed about 0.45kg.

In 1935, another scientist by the name of Ernst Rolf developed a similar device that could reach greater depths than those of his predecessors. Although he was not able to patent his invention, it is believed that Rolf’s camera borescope was used by the Nazis during World War II. 

The first modern underwater borescope camera was invented by Frenchman Charles Boucheron in 1953. He was also the first person to use a camera with an optic fibre cable, which enabled clearer images than those captured by traditional wire cables. The following year, American engineer Robert Bean improved upon Boucheron’s design by replacing the metal pipe with a plastic one that could withstand greater pressure and still function properly. This made it possible to reach further depths without risking damage to the equipment or injury to divers who would be sent down to retrieve them.

In 1957, the first commercially available underwater camera was developed by the German company Optical Sea Communication (OSC) and sold to French oil company Elf at a cost of $6,000 each. The borescope camera could be used for everything from surveying cables beneath seabeds to inspecting turbines in power stations deep below the surface of water. It also had applications in other industries such as aerospace engineering, automobile manufacturing and shipbuilding.

The invention of the modern-day borescope camera is credited to American engineer John Davis. He developed a camera that was able to withstand more pressure than its predecessors and could also be extended up to 1,000 meters below the surface of water without any loss in image quality. His invention cost $5,000 each when it was first introduced into the market in 1964. 

In 1978, Japanese company Nihon Denso invented a borescope camera with an optic fibre cable that enabled images to be transmitted back to the surface at 640 x 480 pixels. This was considerably higher than the original resolution of 320 x 240 pixels which had been possible with previous models of borescope cameras. The company also developed a borescope camera capable of producing still images as well as video footage.

One of the best borescope camera manufacturers today comes from Wohler. Wohler borescope cameras are used in a wide range of industries including aerospace engineering, automobile manufacturing and shipbuilding. They are also able to withstand greater pressure than other models on the market today at depths of up to 1,400 meters.

Most Popular Wohler Cameras

The most popular Wohler borescope cameras are:

VIS 250 – High definition colour camera with wide angle lens and LED light source.

VIS 350 – High definition colour camera with wide angle lens and LED light source, capable of 360-degree rotation.

VIS 370 – High definition colour camera with wide angle lens and LED light source, capable of 360-degree rotation and up to 9 hours of continuous operation at depths of up to 600 meters.

The VIS 750 is a high-definition colour camera that can be extended up to 3,000 meters deep into silt and sand without damaging it. It is able to capture images at up to 3,600 x 2,400 pixels which makes it ideal for use in deep sea archaeology projects where there are no cables or wires to guide the equipment back to the surface. The VIS 750 has been used in underwater archaeology projects all over the world including those of Cleopatra’s Barge in Egypt, HMHS Britannic in Greece and the Mary Rose in Britain.

SST-20 – This camera is capable of transmitting high-resolution images at 640 x 480 pixels. It also has a built-in light source that ensures there are no shadows on the objects being viewed. The SST-20 can be extended to 1,000 meters below sea level and comes with its own power supply unit so that it can provide continuous image transmission back up to the surface.