Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (June 13, 1940)
Again Is Raised the Question of Who Made the First Camera in the U. S. and Took the First Photographic Portrait By ELMO SCOTT WATSON (Released by Western Newspaper Unlon.l HO made the first camera in America? What pioneer pho tographer first used a “fast action” picture-taking ma chine to get a successful por trait of a human being? According to a recent Asso ciated Press dispatch from Hampden Sydney, Va., hon ors belong to Dr. John Wil liam Draper, an Englishman who was educated at the Uni versity of Pennsylvania, be came a professor of chemis try at Hampden Sydney col lege more than a century ago and achieved a wide reputa tion not only in chemistry but in physiology, history and philosophy as well. This dis patch said: An old box-shaped camera left at Hampden Sydney college in 1839 by Dr. John William Draper is going to be taken from its cen tury-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 photog rapher at Charleston, W. Va., be fore 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 company. The young student 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 or 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-type camera. Everything he un earthed indicated that he was right in his belief, but he could get no “iron-clad” proof. 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 Talbot; that he had tried a lens of large aperture and short focus to speed up action enough to permit por traits of living persons; that he succeeded notably later with in formation about Daguerre’s more sensitive plates. It was while at Hampden Syd ney that he carried on his ex periments, he said, even trying mirrors from a telescope before obtaining a lens. The telescope is here and will be presented with the camera. His connection with portraiture, he said, dated to the summer before publication of Daguerre’s process. Daguerre’s process was published in August, 1839. Dr. Draper went to New York univer sity in September, 1839, and with Daguerre’s more sensitive plates and his methods succeeded. Had he discovered the more sensitive plate, Virginia might have claimed the honor of the first portrait as well as the first camera. Despite the assertions in that news story, however, it is possible that some one may soon rise to challenge Dr. Draper’s right to the honor of having made the first camera in America and being the first to get a successful por trait. Here’s why: Last year was celebrated the “Centennial of Photography” dur ing which honors were paid to Louis Jacques Mande Dageuerre, the Frenchman, who is univer sally acclaimed as "The Father of Photography.” On the eve of that celebration the MacMillan company of New York published “Photography and the American Scene—A Social History, 1839 1889,” the result of more than six years of research by Dr. Robert Taft, professor of chemistry at the University of Kansas. In the first two chapters of his book, Dr. Taft gives a well-doc umented account of the work of the pioneer “daguerreotypists” in this country jvho became interest DR. JOHN W. DRAPER (From an ambrotype made by Mathew W. Brady about 1857.) ed in the new art very soon after articles about Daguerre's proc ess 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, who was living in New York in 1839. As a result of Dr. Taft's investigations, he makes the statement that Seager “was the first person to make a successful daguerreotype in the United States; which he did on Septem ber 27, 1839.” As for the claim that Draper made the first successful portrait of a human being, Dr. Taft’s con clusions also give that honor to another man. Alexander S. Wol cott of New York. Wolcott, who was an instrument maker and manufacturer of dental supplies, took a daguerreotype of his part ner, John Johnson, on October 7, 1839, according to Taft, and this was the “first photographic por trait.” Draper's Contributions. Although denying to Draper the honor of being the first to make a successful photographic por trait, Dr. Taft sums up his impor tant contributions to photography thus: “He was among the earliest to attempt photographic portraiture. The earliest photographic por trait which has survived. It is a daguerreotype of Miss Dorothy Catherine Draper, made by her brother, Dr. John W. Draper, probably in the summer of 1840. These attempts were based on such scientific principles as were then known; he sent abroad an early daguerreotype portrait, ap parently the earliest which has survived; he published an exten sive account of these experiments, thereby enabling and encourag ing others to benefit from his ex perience; and he became as sociated with Morse in the open ing of an establishment for the purpose of taking portraits, thus becoming one of the founders of a new profession.” Dr. Taft’s mention of “the earli est daguerreotype portrait which has survived” is a reference to Draper’s famous portrait of his sister, Miss Dorothy Catherine Draper, which is still in existence and which is owned by the Rev. Sir John C. W. Herschel of Eng land, grandson of Sir John F. W. Herschel, the distinguished Eng lish scientist to whom Draper sent it in the summer of 1840. It was accompanied by a letter, the full text of which is printed for the first time in Taft’s book. In this letter Draper stated that “I believe I was the first person 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 be noted that the exposure of this early daguerreotype portrait was only 65 seconds. Previously pub lished accounts concerning this daguerreotype have given expo sures ranging from 10 to 20 min utes, which have evidently been based upon such general informa tion as was available in Seager’s exposure table (printed in the American Repertory of Arts, Sciences and Manufacturers for March, 1840, the first ever printed in this country). “Judging from these facts, the date of the letter, the relatively short exposure required and an examination of the portrait itself which shows rather great con trasts, I am of the opinion that it was taken outdoors during the summer of 1840.” In September, 1840, Draper published an article in the Lon don, Edinburgh and Dublin Philo sophical Magazine in which he described in detail his method of making photographic portraits, such as the one of his sister. He stated that in his earlier attempts he dusted the face of the person sitting for the portrait with white 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 ter minating in an iron ring was at tached 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 recog nize 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 dour 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 just ly 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 ly at us from the pages of thou sands of magazines and newspa pers today. Operation for Sinus Trouble May Be Futile By DR. JAMES W. BARTON j (I pleased by Western Newspaper Union.I A FEW years ago there were many operations for sinus trouble—the little hollows or caverns adjoining the nose. These sinuses are called the sounding box of the voice. Thus when a head TODAY’S HEALTH COLUMN cold is present and these little sinuses get filled with mucus, the voice sounds flat and “ing” sounds like “ick.” When these head colds be came very common and the mucus and sometimes pus was too thick to drain out, the enlarging of the opening was frequently done by nose surgeons to enable this mucus and pus to drain out. The enlarged opening also helped to “ventilate” the sinus, thus keeping its lining of mucous membrane in a more healthy condition. Unfortunately, these openings from the sinus into the nose are not placed in the best position for drainage when we are stand ing or sitting, but as Dr. Louis M. Pearl man states in Hy geia, the different positions one natur ally takes when ly ing down are favor able to the emptying of the sinuses. When one lies on Dr. Barton the left side, the right antrum (sinus in cheek bone) is emptied; when one lies on the right side the left antrum is emptied, and when one lies face downward the sinuses at upper and back part of the nose (level with the eyes) are emptied. However, it has been found that in many cases operation is of no help and may leave the patient in the same condition as before opera tion and with some loss of smell. Dr. Pearlman states further: "The present trend of treatment is tracing the trouble to its source and getting rid of it before the con dition becomes chronic. Stress is laid on increasing the resistance of the individual and performing only slight operations to increase ventila tion and drainage.” Eating less meat and table salt and eating more fruit and vege tables seems to help a number of these chronic sinus cases. Fat Foods Important In Diet and Weight VIRTUALLY all reducing diets emphasize the importance of cut ting down on starch foods—bread, potatoes, sugar and pastry—if satis factory reduction is to be obtained. Now starch foods give energy, help to make the fat foods burn more completely, and should be eaten in certain amounts even by those who are overweight. What about fat in the daily diet? For the overweights who wish to lose weight, the tremendous food or fuel value of fat should never be forgotten; any quantity of fat food has twice the food value of the same quantity of either of the other main classes of foods, that is, starches and proteins (meat, eggs, fish, cere als). Fat Foods for Underweights. For the same reason—fat foods being rich in fuel value—under weights are advised to eat fat foods up to the point where the amount of food does not cause indigestion and spoil the appetite. A table that should help over weights to pick out foods they like that are low in fats, and under weights to select foods they like and (which agree with them) that are rich in fats, is given by Dr. R. G. Sinclair, department of biochemis try, Queens university, Kingston, Canada, in a booklet, “Nutrition in Everyday Practice,” issued by the Canadian Medical association. There are three divisions, (a) foods low in fat <b) foods containing a me dium amount of fat, (c) foods rich in fat. Foods low in fat: Less than 2 per cent of fat: vegetables, most fruits, cereals, bread, egg whites and but termilk. Foods with medium amount of fat—2 to 10 Per cent—cream soups, milk, veal, chicken, turkey, lean beef, crab meat. Foods rich in fats—about 10 per cent—butter, and other fats and oils, salmon, tuna, lamb, pork, duck, goose, egg yolk. • • • QUESTION BOX Q.—Can worms lower the vitality? A.—Yes. Q—Please suggest foods with their individual vitamin content which are essential to any good diet. A.—If you use a daily diet con taining one part meat, eggs or fish; two parts fat foods—butter, cream, egg yolks, fat meats, and four parts starches—bread, potatoes, fruits and green vegetables, yon will get the necessary vitamins and minerals. Apron Dress Is an Intriguing Theme on the Fashion Program By CHERIE NICHOLAS TX/'HAT is import * * antly new on the style program? The answer is the dress with a detach able apron front. Can you imagine aprons putting on fashion airs? Well, that’s just what is happening. It’s not only your daytime frocks that are being smartly aproned but evening gowns are flaunting the most gorgeous (either tie-on or sim ulated) apron fronts wild flights of fancy could possibly envision. Watch and you will see dainty black evening sheers glorified with cunning apron attachments that are embroidered and bespangled most gorgeously. By the same token sim ple little daytime frocks take on a dress-up mien in that cunningly de vised lace-frilled or quaintly beruf fled apron fronts are made to tie on or take oft in a jiffy. And what a boon these fascinating new apron dresses are to a limited clothes allowance. You can see the logic of the argument in an instant —sans apron front attachment you have a simple foundation gown that will carry you through trim and trig during the "don’t-dress-up” hours of the day or evening. Comes time to "doll-up” a bit for a lunch eon or tea or the unexpected what ever the occasion may be, and here’s where the new apron attach ment performs its magic. Tie it on and you will be “all dressed up” and some place to go. And if this isn’t economy, thrift and good style all in one what better could fash ion offer, we would like to know, than a two-some that can be faith fully utilitarian one moment and glamorously festive the next. The attractive frocks pictured pre sent the theme from both a day and a night viewpoint. Consider them as merely a forerunner of what "is yet to be” in way of apron frocks for now that the vogue for the apron dress has been so successfull) launched, designers are all astir de veloping the wealth of possibilities offered in this new and fascinating fashion trend. Describing the daytime frock shown to the left in the illustration, it is made of a red, white and black polka dot silk print, which has an interesting border design, as have so many of the newer prints this season. The “off-again-on-again” apron front is accented with the wide silk bordering. For moments of lesser social importance whisk the apron front off and you have a gown simply and tastefully styled for the more practical moments of the day. Mousseline in a new shade of lu minous blue is posed over a taffeta slip to create the enchanting bouf fant evening gown pictured to the right. The same flowered lace that creates the youthful short-sleeved bolero outlines the trick apron, which may be removable or not as you please. Garden party dresses of organdy and the new sheer seersucker and prettily flowered dimities are taking on these quaint little tie-on aprons more or less beruffled with self-fab ric or with lace and ribbon-run bead ing in endless variety. The apron idea invites all sorts of decorative touches in way of em broidery beadwork and applique. Perfectly charming aprons have hand-painted florals which gives the amateur artist a chance to do some very clever things. Another sugges tion worth trying out is to applique little ribbon bowknots at strategic points. Insets of lace butterflies is another thought rich with possibili ties. (Released by Western Newspaper Union.) Go Military Go military the American way by pinning to the lapel of your smart tailored suit a gadget, as here pic tured, of a miniature cadet cap like the real West Pointer. Marion Weeber, American artist noted for her cunning in handling ceramic jewelry and plastics, designs this cunning piece. It’s enameled and studded with tiny rhinestones. As a fitting touch to this most attrac tive bit of artistry it is made jaunty with a real feather tuft. Wear this cunning ornament and you will create a commotion in your set, for it is really most unusual and distinc tive and destined to enjoy a wide spread vogue during the coming months. Please to observe that her I straw hat is a la cadet cap in its I jaunty “lines.” " Evening Pinafore Pinafores are a quaint old fashion interpreted In lavish materials for elaborate new evening gowns. Comfortable Wedge Shoe Now Popular One reason for the popularity of wedge shoes is that they present un usual foot comfort. They give excel lent support to the instep and ankle and create a firm base for walking. To lighten their somewhat heavy appearance, many of the new ver sions are trimmed with scroll cut outs. Some of the best liked styles are made of elasticized serge or gabar dine fabrics. They are usually com bined with patent leather or kid. Very light in weight, they cling to the foot snugly and give it a well fitted feeling that is very comfort able. Little Hats With Turned-Up Brims Little hats with their brims turned up sharply on both sides to give a tricorne effect are smart accompan iments for the fitted coats and dress maker suits of this season. Effective in its simplicity is one of white linen-weave straw banded and tied on with a narrow black ribbon. Another plain Homburg type of white pique with a deeply creased crown and rolled-up brim is also banded in black ribbon. Tailored Taffeta Suits Are Popular Have you seen the stunning new daytime taffeta suits that have just recently entered the style parade? This matter of tailored silk suits and coats is well worth looking up for designers are turning out fasci nating models not only in taffeta, but in moire, faille and bengaline, both in navy and black. Slip-Covered Boards Make Handy Screen By RUTH WYETH SPEARS f)0 YOU need a screen to keep drafts from a child’s bed? Or perhaps you would like to have a good-looking one to cut off the view from the dining room into the kitchen or from a bedroom into a bathroom? Well, here is an idea for that screen. Buy four well seasoned boards each 1 foot wide; 1 inch thick and as long as the height you wish the screen to be; also 9 hinges of the 1-inch butt ' USE 4 ftOARDS Ieach I'xs'xr SCREW HINGES TO COVERED BOARDS V •\T BOARD / INSIDE OF 'cover; THEN SEW END / CUT COVERS TO FIT BOARDS-STITCH INSIDE [OUT CEAVINC ONE END OPEN.'THEN TURN type used for cupboard doors. Next, select a smart chintz to cov er your boards. To estimate the amount of chintz, multiply the height of the screen by three and then add y<i-yard. Now, just fol low the directions in the sketch and you will have your screen in no time. And, by the way, if you are in terested in making a collection of fabric toys, complete directions for the Rag Baby on the floor are in Sewing Book No. 2. The Sleepy Time doll on the bed and the Ban danna doll on the shelf are in Book 4; the Stocking Cat is in Book 3. You will also find full directions for the crocheted rug in Book No. 3. Directions for the lamp shades are in Book No. 1. Send 10 cents in coin for each book desired. If you order four books I will include patterns and direc tions for three of my Favorite Early American quilts, FREE. The Kaleidoscope; the Whirl Wind and the Ann Rutledge. Send or der to: MRS. RUTH WYETH SPEARS Drawer 10 Bedford Hills New York Enclose 10 cents for one book, or 40 cents for books 1, 2, 3 and 4 and set of quilt block patterns. Name . Address . Long Footpath The Appalachian trail, the long est marked footpath in the world, begins on Mount Katahdin in cen tral Maine and ends on Mount Oglethorpe in northern Georgia, a distance of 2,050 miles. It passes through 14 states, two national parks, six national forests and ap proximately 20 state parks and forests.—Collier’s. INDIGESTION may affect the Heart Gas trapped in the stomach or pullet may act like a hair-tripper on the heart. At the first sipn of distress smart men and women depend on Bell-ana Tablets to set pas free. No laxative but made of the fastest actinp medicines known for acid indipestion. If the FIRST DOSE doesn't provo Bell-ane better return bottle to os and receive DOUBLE Money Back. 2fic. Contented Spirit To secure a contented spirit, measure your desire by your for tune and not your fortune by your desires.—Jeremy Taylor. 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