user23208: Before the invention of the CCD, how were analog video images captured? Specifically, what process occurred between the optics of the camera, and the resulting analog electrical signal (not necessarily ready to transmit)?  

user674: They didn't need tape if they were transmitting live. They simply sent the signals to a radio transmitter, or to tape for recording.
This is how television and video worked for nearly 80 years before digital video came along.
I'd suggest reading the Wikipedeia pages on Video and the History of Television as a starter. 

23208: <p>Before the invention of the CCD, how were analog video images captured? Specifically, what process occurred between the optics of the camera, and the resulting analog electrical signal (not necessarily ready to transmit)?  </p>
 674: <p>They didn't need tape if they were transmitting live. They simply sent the signals to a radio transmitter, or to tape for recording.</p>

<p>This is how television and video worked for nearly 80 years before digital video came along.</p>

<p>I'd suggest reading the Wikipedeia pages on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Video</a> and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_television" rel="nofollow noreferrer">History of Television</a> as a starter. </p>
