The Story of Communication:

Photography—Fascinating Facts

• An image seen reflected through a pinhole will appear upside down.
• The word “camera” in Latin means “room.”
  The camera obscura, which preceded the camera, began as a room, probably a tent.
• Pre-photography scientists were not sure why silver salts darkened in sunlight. Air and heat were considered before the reason was shown to be light.
• What was thought to be the first true photograph had an exposure time of 8 hours. The sun appears twice.
• A recently discovered photograph, showing a man leading a horse, may be the world’s first true photograph. The French National Library paid nearly a half million dollars for it in 2002.
• The first popular subject for photographs was rooftops and chimneys. Why? They got lots of sunshine and they didn’t move.
• People in early photos look grim because they had to hold their breath and keep a stiff pose for a long time.
• A frequent subject in the early days of photography was dead family members, especially dead children. Epidemics took many young lives.
• The Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland could just as well have been the Mad Photographer. Both used mercury. Its fumes affect the brain.
• In the 19th century millions of egg whites were used for photographic paper.The yolks were used to make shiny patent leather shoes.
• By studying photos of how people walk, a Civil War physician designed artificial legs for maimed soldiers.
• William Henry Jackson’s photographs helped in the political effort to establish Yellowstone as the first national park.
• Until an engraving method was devised, newspapers relied on wooden or metal carvings of photographs.
• Instant Polaroids get their color and developing fluid when the photographer pulls the film through pinch rollers, breaking fluid bubbles.
• A National Geographic cover was altered by shifting a pyramid to improve the framing. A TV Guide photo had Oprah Winfrey’s head on Ann- Margaret’s body.
• The inventor of the copier was turned down by company after company, partly on the grounds that carbon paper was cheap.

Resources for Photography

• Websites to Explore

• Timeline

• Sample Chapter (you must have Adobe Reader)

Writing | Printing | Mail | Telephone | Recording | PHOTOGRAPHY |
Movies | Radio | TV | Computers | Internet