Variable density goggles were used by U.S. aerial gunners and anti-aircraft gunners in

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. They were equipped with a turning dial on the front allowing the pilot to alter the

tint In color theory, a tint is a mixture of a color with white, which increases lightness, while a shade is a mixture with black, which increases darkness. A tone is produced either by mixing a color with gray, or by both tinting and shading. ...

of the lens enabling them to see

tracer rounds Tracer ammunition, or tracers, are bullets or cannon-caliber projectiles that are built with a small pyrotechnic charge in their base. When fired, the pyrotechnic composition is ignited by the burning powder and burns very brightly, making the tr ...

and not be easily blinded. They failed to gain popularity in the military, however, and were phased out soon after the Second World War. They were more accepted by AAA gunners than aircrew, as it was one more piece of equipment that the aircrews would have to carry onto an airplane.

References

{{Reflist Protective gear