The 1960s marked a decisive shift toward real-time, noninvasive plasma diagnostics. Microwave-based methods enabled rapid density and temperature measurements with minimal perturbation to the plasma, while the instantaneous triple-electrode probe provided microsecond-scale electron temperature and density readings. Complementary approaches such as laser light scattering and electron emissive probes extended the diagnostic toolkit to turbulence assessment and precise potential measurements, establishing an integrated, rapid-parameter framework.