6 
RESUME. 
The introduction into the photogrammetric community of automatic data 
processing, laser, and automatic, analytical, analog, and allied photogram 
metric equipment has created a number of challenging problems --problems that 
are not solved necessarily by mere refinement of standard design and fabrication 
techniques already familiar to the industrial members of that community. 
What we see evolving is a unique ’’hybrid" technology which combines a 
number of scientific backgrounds and engineering fields. As a result, several 
systems-minded companies have seen fit to establish extensive facilities con 
cerned with gas physics, thermodynamics, laser image scanning, laser optics, 
laser modulation, optical systems engineering, computer-oriented design 
techniques, holography, electro-optics, optical processing, thermoplastics, 
photochromie and similar materials research; they are introducing the practice 
of cleanliness in their facilities to the point where utilization is being made of 
entire clean rooms, complete with air-lock access, gowned personnel and closed 
containers for the handling and moving of "in process" materials; and they are 
giving considerable attention to assuring that the sophisticated equipment thus 
fabricated will be operated with reliability when placed in the hands of the user. 
The dynamic nature of requirements for acquisition of aerial photography 
and allied data places rigid demands on photogrammetric equipment and personnel 
resources. Timely response and full exploitation are imperative. It is apparent 
that designers of equipment will have to keep this principle continuously in mind. 
Growth potential will best be guaranteed by judicious and economical design of 
modular components. With such "add-on” features, modifications can be made 
readily, thus insuring significant additional viewing, illuminating, handling, 
measuring, displaying, recording and digitizing capabilities when required. 
It is apparent from the foregoing that the subject matter of equipment is 
very complex and covers many facets. From the initial establishment of the 
requirements for equipment through their manufacture and through their ultimate 
operation by the user elements many categories of effort are involved; and a 
great deal of time and money are used up in the process. Further, each R&D, 
manufacturer, educator, and user element has its own technical problem areas 
to resolve, its own economic requirements to satisfy, its own goals to reach-- 
but the effectiveness of any one is closely allied to that of the others. Such 
composite goals are best reached by frank, timely, and comprehensive ex 
changes of information, philosophies, and intentions. Such goals can be fur 
thered even more through the effective use of the conference table, the published 
account in a reliable technical journal, and/or the forum conducted under the 
sponsorship of a recognized National or International Technical Organization. 
It is hoped that this paper will furnish the springboard from which experts 
of the photogrammetric community can make a positive assessment of the "state- 
of-the-art"--and perhaps extrapolate this to the status anticipated in the next 
four years. Expected results are: 
a. Facts previously unknown or neglected will become obvious.