Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-10
A dGgmerTeOtyPe and case.

to pick up the plate the next morning and
found perfect picture registered thereon.
Greatly encouraged, the Frenchman exposed
another plate for short while, locked it in
the magic box overnight and another picture
greeted him the following morning.
Attributing the strange behavior of the plates
to the action of the chemicals in the cabineS
Daguerre set out to determine which one it
was. But after the last receptacle had been
removed pictures continued to show up on the
plates just the same. Baf1ing OF course it
was, but the FTenchman certain that the
day of miracles had passed. and so they had.
The mystery coved when he afterward
discovered dish of mercury on the bottom
shelf that he had overlooked. Vapor emitted
by the mercury had fixed" the plates
Daguerre had been catching permanent images
all the while. The trouble was he did not know
how to hold them. :.
ELATED over his discovery, accidental though
it had been, Daguerre set about to organize
a corporation for the purpose of commercial
izing the process. But he made scant heads
way The people thought his claims prepos.
ferrous and him crazy. They were from Mis-
souri, and he could not show them without
giving the secret away
Daguerre turned in his dilemma to the noted
astronomer, Arago. and explained to him in
secret the process Arago was so enthusiastic
over the possibilities of the process he pre-
vailed the French government to grant the
discoverer a yearly annuity of 5000 francs,
publish the formula and give it to the world.
That it did Also Isadore Niecpe, son Of
Daguerre's partner was awarded a lifetime
pension of 1900 francs. Additional to his
annuity, Daguerre was elected to membership
in the Legion of Honor. His fame spread like
wildfire and he was soon swamped with stu
dents from all the world.
Briefly, the Daguerrean process embraces the
exposing Of highly polished and sensitized
silver or silver-coated copper plates IN the
camera obScura, developing them in Vapor OF
mercury and fixing them in solution Of hypo-
sulphite of soda. Those who desire more de-
tails might ask their photographer to explain
the Daguerrean process the next time they
have picture taken. But they should exercise
due discretion, The question should not be
sprung If a dozen or more patrons are waiting
to be snapped
Daguerrotype was introduced into the United
States by Prof. Samuel F. B. Morse Of tele-
graph fame, who had had look at the inven-
ton before it was released. Learning of the dis
covery while in Paris on business, he arranged
for an interview with the discoverer through
the American Minister. Morse offered to ex-
plain TO Daguerre the why's and whereforeS OF
the telegraph in consideration of an inkling
into the mysteries of sun-paintmg. The
Frenchman was agreeable. Condolences we're
under his hat until it had been formally
leased. Then, on receipt of copy of the
published paper, he established his famous
Palace of the Sun" in New York City More
over, his associate John w. Draper, claims the
distinction of originating portraiture in this
country. In the Photographic section of the
National Museum reposeS his picture of Dor
othy Catherine Draper, his sister, labeled sThe
Earliest Sunlight Picture of the Human Face"
1t was made in 1870 However Mr.. Diapers
claim has been contested by A E. Walcott who
contends that he produced the first portrait of
q person.
AS it at first required 20 minutes to expose
a plate, no attempt made to apply the art
to living subjects until 1910, when improved
lenses had considerably shortened the requisite
time for exposure. Obviously no fractions
youngster would sit perfectly still 20 minutes
to see birdie fly out of the box. Posing chill
dren continue as the portraiture photogra-
piers most persistent Nemesis. It has been
suggested, though, that Rudy Valee and other
grooming artists may prove to be the long
sought solution.
1t vas also imperative In the beginning for
the subject to pose with the sunlight stream
ing on the face. PeradventuTe the younger
generation has often wondered why its great
gran'pas and great-gram'mas were SO Visibly
affected with S1n-gTins while they were being
daguerreotyped, also why they were SO squint-
eyed. Now the mystery is solved. Even
present-day cameras, with their Ultra-fast
lenses, will register sun grins and squnted eyes.