OCR Text |
Show THE BULLETIN Again Is Raised the Question of Who Made the First Camera in the U. S. and Took 1 the First Photographic ATTFDN l Portrait ; ric-ra- (Kateaacd by Western Nawipapcr Union.) made the first in America? pioneer photographer first used a "fast action" picture -- taking machine to get a successful portrait of a human being? According to a recent Associated Press dispatch from Hampden Sydney, Va., honors belong to Dr. John William Draper, an Englishman who was educated at the University of Pennsylvania, became a professor of chemistry at Hampden Sydney college more than a century ago and achieved a wide reputation not only in chemistry but in physiology, history and philosophy as well. This disAn old box-shap- ed SEWING CIRCLE PATTERN DEPT. 149 New Mmtf ornery Ave. San Franrisro CaUI. Enclose IS cenli in coins (or Pattern No Size Name Address 1 1839 , , i ! ; i j i The Answers 1. Treasury department. 2. Not at all. 3. More than 400 different spe- New Member of Press Was Promptly Rung Off He had just received an appoint ment as junior reporter on the local paper and was full of his own importance. His first engagement was at a concert in connection with a working men's club, and, disdaining to use the ticket which had been sent to the office, he cies of plants capture and digest insects. 4. No. Many of the songs do not deal with religious subjects. 5. Kentucky, bounded bv Illinois. Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee and Missouri, i i approached the doorkeeper and ut tered the one word which he knew was the "Open Sesame" to anywhere "Press." "What's that?" asked the door keeper. "Press, repeated the youth. Close Neighbors There is nothing one sees often--' "And what do you think you er than the ridiculous and magnifiwas cent, such close neighbors that are? A bloomin' the disconcerting reply. they touch. Fontenelle. bell-push- ?" i DR. JOHN W. DRAPER Hathew W. Brady about 1857.) here who succeeded in obtaining portraits from life." "It will be noted that the letter is dated July 28, 1840, and that no reference is made to the date on which the portrait was made," comments Dr. Taft. "It will also who was living in New York in be noted that the exposure of this 1839. As a result of Dr. Taft's early daguerreotype portrait was investigations, he makes the only 65 Seconds. Previously pubstatement that Seager "was the lished accounts concerning this first person to make a successful daguerreotype have given expoin the United sures ranging from 10 to 20 mindaguerreotype States; which he did on Septem- utes, which have evidently been based upon such general informaber 27, 1839." As for the claim that Draper tion as was available in Seager's made the first successful portrait exposure table (printed in the of a human being, Dr. Taft'a con- American Repertory of Arts, clusions also give that honor to Sciences and Manufacturers for another man. Alexander S. Wot March, 1840, the first ever printed cott of New York. Wolcott, who in this country). "Judging from these facts, the was an instrument maker and of the letter, the relatively date manufacturer of dental supplies, took a daguerreotype of his part- short exposure required and an of the portrait itself ner, John Johnson, on October 7, examination con1839, according to Taft, and this which shows rather great was the "first photographic por- trasts, I am of the opinion that it was taken outdoors during the trait." summer of 1840." Draper's Contributions. In September, 1840, Draper Although denying to Draper the published an article in the Lonhonor of being the first to make Edinburgh and Dublin Philoa successful photographic por- don, sophical Magazine in which he trait, Dr. Taft sums up his impor- described in detail his method of tant contributions to photography making photographic portraits. thus: such as the one of his sister. He "He was among the earliest to stated that in his earlier attempts attempt photographic portraiture. he dusted the face of the person sitting for the portrait with white (From an ambrotype made by ed in the new art very soon after articles about Daguerre's process had been reprinted from French and English Journals in American newspapers as early as March, 1839. One of these was D. W. Seager, an Englishman, mmm ; ! the camera. , Step-by-ste- ric-ra- in by Dr. John William Draper ia going to be taken from its century-old resting place to a niche in the Smithsonian Institution, officials of which have accepted it as the first camera in America and the first "fast action" camera in the world. The presentation probably will take place at the June commencement. To prove that it was the first camera of modern type, eight years of research was conducted by the Rev. Howard C Cobbs, who was a professional photographer at Charleston, W. Va., before he began his studies for the ministry. The college asked Mr. Cobbs to make a picture of the camera in 1932 for George W. Eastman, president of the Eastman Kodak The young student company. learned its history from Dr. J. H. C Bagby, professor of chemistry. He tried it with modern film and it .worked. He learned that Dr. Draper made his famous "first portrait" of a living person at New York university in 1839 cr 1840, soon after leaving Hampden Sydney. Mr. Cobbs became convinced that the camera here was older (than the one used at N. Y. U. and was the first modern-typ- e camera. Everything he un- earthed indicated that he was i right in his belief, but he could proof. 'get no "iron-clad-" Mr. Cobbs took his data to the Smithsonian. Officials congratu lated him on his work, then sug gested that he study records there. He found just what he 'needed, and it was in Dr. Draper's own words in a letter to the Photographic and Fine Art Journal, published in 1858, in an- swer to an inquiry "who made the first photographic portrait?" Dr. Draper explained that he had worked with sensitive plates before anything was published in Europe by Daguerre or Taioot; he had tried a lens of large jthat : aperture and short focus to speed iup action enough to permit por--I traits of living persons; that he ; succeeded notably later with in-formation about Daguerre's more ; sensitive piates. i It was while at Hampden Syd Iney that he carried on his he said, even trying mirrors from a telescope before 'obtaining a lens. The telescope is here and will be presented with The Quetliont 36-in- rh camera left at Hampden Sydney college A General Quiz O Make this of plaid or checked 1. What federal government de gingham, polka dot percale or partment includes the secret serv plain - colored rhambray, with icer c p braid. bright 2. If you eschewed your dinner, sew chart comes with your would you eat it fast, slow, or not Pattern No. 8716 is designed for at all? 3. How many plants capture in--, sizes 12, 14. 16, 18 and 20. Size 14 sects? dress with either neckline, re 4. Are Negro spirituals always fabric quires 4',i yards of c without nap; 8 yards to of a religious character? trim; 4 yard ribbon for bow. Send 5. What state in the United order to: States is bounded by seven states? By ELMO SCOTT WATSON patch said: 4 UtPARllitNT !. WHO Jlsk Me Jfaotlier mm His connection with portraiture, he said, dated to the summer before publication of Daguerre's process. Daguerre's process was in August, 1839. ur, i published to New York univer went Draper The earliest photographic nor--' sity in September, 1839, antfwltn 'Daguerre's more sensitive plates trait which has survived. It is a daguerreotype of Hiss Dorothy land his methods succeeded. Had he discovered the more Catherine Draper, made by her .sensitive plate, Virginia might brother, Dr. John W. Draper, have claimed the honor of the probably in the summer of 1840. 'first portrait as well as the first These attempts were based on camera. such scientific principles as were in the assertions Despite then known; he sent abroad an news it however, that story, daguerreotype portrait, apis possible that some one may early parently the earliest which has soon rise to challenge Dr. survived; he published an extenexperiments, Draper's right to the honor of sive account of theseand encouragenabling thereby camera first made the having ing others to benefit from his exthe and America in being perience; and he became asfirst to get a successful por sociated with Morse in the opening of an establishment for the trait. Here s why: Last year was celebrated the purpose of taking portraits, thus "Centennial of Photography" dur- becoming one of the founders of ing which honors were paid to a new profession." Dr. Taft's mention of "the earliLouis Jacques Mande Dageuerre, the Frenchman, who is univer- est daguerreotype portrait which sally acclaimed as "The Father has survived" is a reference to of Photography," On the eve of Draper's famous portrait of his 'that celebration the MacMillan sister, Miss Dorothy Catherine company of New York published Draper, which is still in existence "Photography and the American and which is owned by the Rev. Sir John C. W. Herschel of EngScene A Social History, the result of more than six land, grandson of Sir John F. W. years of research by Dr. Robert Herschel, the distinguished EngTaft, professor or chemistry at lish scientist to whom Draper sent it in the summer of 1840. It the University of Kansas. In the first two chapters of his was accompanied by a letter, the c full text of which is printed for book, Dr. Taft gives a umented account of the work of the first time in Taft's book. In the pioneer "daguerreotypists" in this letter Draper atated that "I believe was the flrt oerson this country who became interest ; ; 1839-1889- ," well-do- T powder (probably flour) to secure greater contrast but that a few trials showed him that there was no advantage in this. To get greater illumination on the sub ject he used mirrors to reflect the sun directly upon the sitter "but in the reflected sunshine, the eye can not support the effulgence of the rays." In order to support the head and keep it still during the long exposures required for these early pictures, a staff terminating m an iron ring was attached to the sitter's chair and so "arranged as to have motion in all directions to suit any stature and any altitude." Instrument of Torture. "The modern patron of the pho tographer's art may not recognize the instrument of torture de scribed above," writes Dr. Taft, "but to those who had photo graphic portraits made 'in the long ago' it will be remembered as the familiar head rest which was part of every photographer's equip ment, a device which was used, as can be seen, from the early in ception of the art up to fairly modern times It must have been a very try ing experience for Miss Dorothy Catherine Draper and it is doubt ful if many of the belles of 1840 would have been willing to endan ger their complexions by having flour smeared over it or sitting exposed to strong sunlight for long minutes while trial pictures were being taken, not to men tion enduring the discomfort of that "instrument of torture," the iron head rest So she deserves great credit for her contribution to the development of the art of photography and even though it is debatable if her brother can justly claim the honor of being the first to make a photographic por trait, there is little doubt that one distinction does rest with the Draper family. Dorothy Catherine Draper was the first photographic "model" the ancestor of the "glamour gals" who smile so bewitching-l- y at us from the pages of thousands of magazines and newspa pers today. FON'T you think it's one of the nrattioct irfona fnr rnttrtn prints that ever bloomed in the spring all set for a summer of great popularity? There's something so perky and young about or 8716, with its choice of low-ctailored collar finished with come-hithbow, and panels out lined in braid, to call attention to the supple slimness of your waist! It's simple and comfortable enough to wear around the house, but it's much, much too pretty to spend all its time at home. Wear it to market and for runabout, too 701 North Michigan Aw SSflaiyAlhriMJ 1,000 mM i MM ut OmtrhlotkMthep. ..tfcMtraa, hny rr4 kuatmum dititiet fj 1 er OTaiM Mmiit Im wry I Jbpaittaf O U fl OPfeaaWmfelMMnai SI M Hanlo Mil What Is Left Wish hash Sue If you have done an honorable action accompanied by hard labor, the labor is over, the honor re Consistently Inconsistent? mains. If you have done any Bringing On Mischief is the only thing is a To mourn mischief that with Inconsistency past thing disgraceful pleasure, the pleasure is over, the disgrace and gone is the next way to draw in which men are consistent. Horatio Smith. new mischief on. Shakespeare. remains. Anon. Built,poMred,priced mmm m row v--i two: and commhoai CAI FEATURES Range of 6 wneelbascs and 3 engine dies 41 body and chawii (60, 85, 95 h.p.) Bi hydraulic brakes . . . types in rear axle in .tracks Commercial Can) New type drive system and two new longitudinal sprints In front on regular tucks . . clutch Improved cabs, more comfortable scats . . . Increased engine and chains accessibility in tracks . . ... ... Full-mati- ns ... Sand-centrifu- ... Straddle-mounte- driving pinion . d . unlvanal Joints on all trucki . . . Scaled-beaheadlamp . . . Ford low upkeep costs with factory exchange parts plan. Needle roller-beari-ng m WAY to make money is to save money AGOOD and trucks axe designed clear .i. Ford V--8 g through for hauling. With a choice of 3 engine sizes and a wide variety of wheelbases sod body types Ford trucks are "tailor-made- " to your needs. They are newly designed for engine and chassis accessibility, which combined with rugged Ford truck construction, keeps maintenance costs at rock bottom. Their proved gas and oil economy gives you low cost hauling month after month I Test a Ford truck on your job! Figure its costs for yourself. You'll discover that you'll do better and save more money with Ford trucks on the job! money-savin- TRUCKS AND COMMERCIAL CURS |