The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-01-26
REMARKABLE INVENTION.
Something Startling for Lovers OF Amate a
Photography.

| photography.
Amateur photography has made an.
other long stride forward. Hitherto
the only means of photographing al
night have been by means of the kero-
sene. or calcium. or electric lights. AL
of these demanded more or less para.
phernalia, and were not portable to any
available degree. Magnesia wire. when
burned. was known to produce q light
OF strong actinic quality. and q lamp
had been devised with which to burn it
for Photographic purposes. 1t was not
satisfactory light, however. as it was
unsteady and liable to 60 cut. From
magnesium. however. DR.. II. G. Piffard
has devised exactly the thing desired.
and he recently explained his inven-
ton.
1t consists in powdered magnesium
spread upon gun-cotton. The ignition
OF gun-cotton furnishes the heat neces-
sary to set fire to the magnesium, and
the result is brilliant flash. powerful
enough to sufficiently expose the plate,
and easily available under any circum-
stances. The photograph is instantane-
Gus. The doctor first discussed Ger
man powder invented for the purpose
stating that while its light effects were
excellent, its very explosive quality
made 1t q dangerous article either to
handle or have about. He next dis
cussed and exhibited mixture of four
parts of gunpOwder and one part of
magnesium, which. when flashed, an
swered the purpose desired. 1t was
neither as convenient nor effective,
however, rs the gun-cotton combination.
After burning samples of these and
showing their effects, he fired cart
ridge OF magnesium and gun-cotton
from an ordinary revolver, showing
that the flash was quite sufficient for an
instantaneous photograph. He then
proceeded to darken the room and to
photograph Mr.. Robert Roosevelt. The
camera was adjusted. and as the cap
was removed the doctor touched a
match to a small piece of powdered
cotton. The light flashed in the dark
ness, and when, some minutes later, the
developed plato appeared. an excellent
negative of Mr. Roosevelt was the re-
suit. Several portraits taken the night
beforciwcre exhibited. and the practical
value of the invention WAS indisputa bly,
established
The result will be that the amateur
photographer will hencefor;h 60 Il
cunning in the darkness and lay out on
plate every thing he may choose to
shoot at. The camera will be fitted to
Il pistol barrel or the pistol barrel to
the camera and cooking the weapon
will expose the plate. AS soon as the
weapon is aimed the flash from the
muzzie will instantly serve to photo
graph the object, and the game will be
securely bagged in Il moment. The
fleeing thief. the expression of the man
who treads upon the unforeseen carpet
tack. rs we'll rs that of the husband
out late who is trying to assume an ex-
preston of Indifferent s0brietv before
he lights the domestic gas, will now
adorn the albums, where they have
hitherto been unknown. The inven-
ton is valuable commercially, one pho
tographer stating that he had con-
cluded to make use of it in his gal
lery. 1t will also greatly widen the
fields of amusement and experiment
which have attracted some thousands 1
10 amateur photography .-PaitaacLpaia
EI.p1li1ln T,Icnrn1n