In the 1980s, CT and MR scanners revolutionized the imaging industry by generating images digitally rather than using analog/film-based technology.  Since then, radiology/imaging departments have progressed to being almost fully digitally based, with the large installed base of general radiography units being the last frontier.  Due to the need for relatively large imaging plates to image large body parts in a single view, such as the chest, the image quality of the digital technology had to be perfected by industry and proven to the radiology community.