Im- PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUSES FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHIC PICTURES
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Archibald Brooman, of 166, Fleet Street,
in the City of London, E.C., Patent Agent, for the Invention of "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUSES FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHIC PICTURES."—A
communication from Monsieur Garella.
Sealed the 1st April 1858, and dated the 6th October 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Archibald
Brooman at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 6th October 1857.
I, RICHARD ARCHIBALD BROOMAN, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, E.C. Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUSES FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHIC PICTURES,"
(communicated to me by Monsieur Garella, a foreigner residing abroad), to be
as follows:-
This Invention consists in a method of taking photographic views or pictures
subtending any angle up to 360° on a plane surface, either with or without the
aid of a prism or mirror for changing the directions of the rays of light which
produce the pictures, in order to obtain either positive or negative images.
To effect this, the object glass, together with the whole apparatus, is made
to turn on an axis, so as to present the glass, paper, plate, or other sensitive
surface, as the case may be, to the objects to be taken. The vertical slide
or sash slides horizontally into the dark chamber through the side of the

page_text: camera, and the object glass, instead of being opposite the centre of the dark
chamber, is fitted at the side of the same. The camera is fixed to a board
which rests on a bed, and this bed is caused to turn, and with it the rest of
the apparatus, by means of suitable gearing, at the will of the operator. The
moveable sash which receives the sensitive surface is composed of two distinct
parts, and is provided with a grooved shutter, hinged at one end, so that the
shutter can be raised when the sash is fixed in the frame, and returned when
the sensitive surface has received the image; the whole is caused to move
along the bed by means of grooves and rollers suitably arranged. In the
dark chamber, between the sash frame and the object glass, there is a partition
extending the whole length of the dark chamber, provided with an opening
which is covered by a diaphrgam or card.
A guide curve is used for the purpose of imparting to the sensitive glass,
paper, or plate such a motion that every point of the picture shall remain on
the same point of the sensitive surface as near as may be during the exposure
of the surface; this guide curve is formed of hard wood or other suitable
material to ensure accuracy. In some cases a mirror or prism is used before
the object glass, and the picture is produced by light which has had its direc-
tion changed thereby.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Richard Archibald Brooman in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 6th April 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, RICHARD
ARCHIBALD BROOMAN, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of London, E.C., Patent
Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twenty-first year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Richard Archibald Brooman, Her special licence that I, the said
Richard Archibald Brooman, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time
to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United King-
dom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man,

page_text: an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUSES FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHIC
PICTURES," (a communication from Monsieur Garella,) upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of
their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the fol-
lowing statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto
annexed, that is to say :-
This Invention consists in a method of taking photographic views or pictures
subtending any angle up to 360° on a plane surface, either with or without the
aid of a prism or mirror for changing the directions of the rays of light which
produce the pictures, in order to obtain either positive or negative images.
To effect this, the object glass, together with the whole apparatus, is made
to turn on an axis, so as to present the glass, paper, plate, or other sensitive
surface, as the case may be, to the objects to be taken. The vertical slide or
sash slides horizontally into the dark chamber through the side of the camera,
and the object glass, instead of being opposite the centre of the dark chamber,
is fitted at the side of the same. The camera is fixed to a board which rests
on a bed, and this bed is caused to turn, and with it the rest of the apparatus,"
by means of suitable gearing, at the will of the operator. The moveable sash
which receives the sensitive surface is composed of two distinct parts, and is
provided with a grooved shutter hinged at one end, so that the shutter can be
raised when the sash is fixed in the frame, and returned when the sensitive
surface has received the image. The whole is caused to move along the bed
by means of grooves and rollers suitably arranged. In the dark chamber,
between the sash frame and the object glass, there is a partition extending
the whole length of the dark chamber, provided with an opening, which is
covered by a diaphragm or card.
A guide curve is used for the purpose of imparting to the sensitized glass,
paper, or plate such a motion that every point of the picture shall remain on
the same point of the sensitized surface as near as may be during the exposure
of the surface; this guide curve is formed of hard wood or other suitable
material to ensure accuracy. In some cases a mirror or prism is used before

page_text: the object glass, and the picture is produced by light which has had its
direction changed thereby.
Before giving in detail the description of this apparatus, it appears desirable
to refer to the principal technical facts on which the construction is based.
In the first place it may be remarked, that it is immaterial under what point
of the apparatus the vertical axle on which the instrument is turned is placed,
on account of the smallness of the dimensions of the apparatus, compared
with the ordinary distance of the objects to be represented; for the same
reason it may be assumed, that the luminous rays which are to form the
pictures are all parallel to each other. Further, in the movement of rotation,
the axis of the object glass comes successively opposite to all the points of the
horizon to be photographed, and at the same time opposite to different points
of the plate; these latter points are necessarily at variable distances from the
centre of the object glass, and the smallness of these distances is equal to the
focal distance; it is essential therefore, in order to produce a clear image, to
admit the luminous rays only to such an extent, that the distances from the
different points to the centre of the object glass shall not vary sensibly, that
is to say, to admit them only to an angular space of such extent that the
tangent represented by the plate may be considered to coincide with the arc
on which the panoramic view would be mathematically produced.
a, b, c, d, Figure 1a, Sheet 1 of the Drawings hereunto annexed, represents
the plan of a camera, in which o is the object glass, and m, n, the plate
intended to receive the image, which plate is placed at a distance o, x, from
the object glass, equal to the focal distance of the most important point of the
panoramic picture to be produced. A point P, situated in a vertical plane
If we
passing through the axis of the object glass, will be reproduced at x.
suppose that the dark chamber is turned through an angle a, so as to occupy.
the position a, b, c, d, the point x will come to a¹, the angle x, o, x¹, being
equal to a; but the point P being immoveable, will be represented always on
the line o, x, which intersects the plate m¹, n', at the point ¹¹. To secure
clearness of the images, it is necessary then, 1st, that the point a¹ be brought
over a, on the line P, o, x, by suitably moving the plate m¹, n¹, in its own
plane; 2nd, that the distance x, x¹¹, be very small will be the case, if the
angle a is small enough for the tangent a¹, 11, to be deemed coincident with
the arc x, x¹. To fulfil the first condition by calling the focal distance o, x, f,
it will be seen that the extent of the movement made by the plate which is
represented by the developement of the arc x, c¹, will be expressed in degrees
by and this movement will take place in the same direction as that in
which the object glass moves.
27fa
360"

page_text: In the case where it is desired to obtain the images by the aid of a mirror
let a, b, c, d, Figure 2, represent the plan of the camera; z, y, the mirror,
inclined at 45°, and m, n, the plan of the plate. The point of the landscape
pictured at x, through the axis of the object glass, will be situated somewhere
on the line P, r, which makes with the mirror an angle of 45° at the point r,
which is the point of intersection of the line o, x, with the mirror. If we
suppose now, that the whole apparatus is turned through an angle of a degrees
in such a manner as to occupy the position a, b, c, d, the point P will
become represented at a", this last point being on a line a¹¹, r¹, passing
through the axis of the object glass, and making with the new position of
the mirror y', 2¹, an angle x, r¹, y', equal to P, r, z, the line P¹, r, being
parallel to the line P, r. Now the angle P, r, z, being of 45°, and the angle
contained between the two positions of the mirror being equal to a, it follows
that the angle P¹, r,, is equal to 45° +, and that P¹, r¹, t is equal to
45° - a a (r³, t¹, being a normal to the mirror); therefore the angle t', r¹, all,
is also equal to 45°-a, and consequently P1, 1, 1, is equal to 90°- 2a.
The line P¹,, being perpendicular to the line r, o, a, it follows that the
angle a, o, x, is equal to 90°- P₁, 71, al, or 90°- (90°- 2a), or to 2a.
Now in the rotation of the apparatus, the point a comes to a¹, the angle x, o, x¹,
being equal to a, it is necessary then, to secure the distinctness of the image,
that the point a¹ be brought behind a", and therefore that it describe an arc
subtending an angle a, and having for its radius f, the focal distance o, x, that
is, an arc represented in degrees by 270, the motion occurring in a direction.
opposite to the general motion of the apparatus. Thus it will be observed,
that between the motion of rotation of the whole apparatus and the motion.
of translation of the prepared plate there exists a constant relation, which
remains the same, whatever be the velocity of rotation, the amplitude of the
motion, or the centre of rotation. The two motions may therefore be obtained
coincidently, by furnishing the frame which carries the plate with a toothed
rack in gear with a toothed wheel fixed on the axis of rotation. The result is
however obtained more advantageously by fixing on the platform, which
supports the axis of rotation of the apparatus, a projecting knee, on which a
guide fixed to the plate-carrying frame is fitted, and this guide follows the
general motion of the apparatus.
2x fa
The relative motion of the plate-carrying frame is obtained in one direction
or the other by placing the axis of rotation, 1st, under the object glass when
it is not desired to employ the prism or mirror, and when negative proofs are
required; 2nd, at a distance from the plate equal to the focal distance, but at

page_text: the side opposite to the object glass, when it is desired to employ the prism
or mirror.
It is thus seen that the position of the centre of rotation is definitely fixed
after the focal distance is determined for any point whatever of the landscape
at the choice of the operator. The focal distance corresponding to a point
distant about 200 yards is at first determined by observing with a sextant or
other instrument the angular distance of two objects situated at about this
distance, by introducing into the camera the image of one of these objects on.
the axis of the object glass, and measuring afterwards on the ground or rough
glass the horizontal distance of the two images. The curve of the curved
guide is directly determined by drawing on the ground glass a series of
vertical lines, and introducing on one of the lines the image of a fixed point
situated at a distance of less than 200 or 300 yards. It is necessary then
that on causing the apparatus to move, the guide of the frame being supported.
by the fixed curve, the image of the object that is chosen for the point of
sight shall be included within the range of the apparatus, and coincide per-
fectly with the vertical line drawn on the rough glass. By repeating this
verification for the whole extent of the plate, and on the whole length of the
curve, the correct form will be obtained. The curved guide ought to be
modified if it is desired to reproduce nearer objects, say at 30 or 40 yards
distance only; but the focal distance when once determined need not be
altered, neither need the guide curve for the same panoramic view.
Having thus set forth the principles on which this Invention is based, I
proceed to describe the apparatus which the Inventor prefers to employ for
carrying it into effect in obtaining pictures subtending an angle of 100°.
In Sheet 1 of the Drawings hereunto annexed, Figure 1 is a general plan
of the apparatus for obtaining negative proofs without the aid of a refracting
prism or of a reflecting mirror; Figure 2 is a horizontal section at the height
P, Q, Figures 3 and 4, which are respectively an elevation parallel to the
principal face of the camera, and a vertical section through the lines R, S, R¹, S',
of Figure 1; Figures 4 bis are respectively an elevation and a horizontal
section of the frame which carries the diaphragm; Figure 5 is an end
elevation, Figure 6, a vertical transverse section through the lines T, U, of
Figures 1 and 2. The foregoing Figures are all drawn to a scale of th of
the true size. The camera a, a, is fitted with a sash d, which slides in from
left to right. The object glass o, instead of being fixed on the centre of the
camera, is placed on the side in such a manner that on the apparatus being
caused to rotate, all the points of the sensitized glass become successively

page_text: situated in the axis of the object glass. The camera is fixed by means of
thumbscrews a*, a*, to a platform or board b, b, which extends beyond the
side of the object glass, in order to permit of placing the axis of rotation
beneath the centre of the object glass. By means of the screws a*, a*, the
camera can be separated at will from the board, and the apparatus be thus
rendered more portable. This board b, b, rests on a large fixed platform P, P,
by means of its pivot or axis of rotation p, p, and two ivory rollers r, r, which
run on two hard wooden segments. In order that the point p shall not
interfere with the passage of the rollers r, r, it is necessary to place the appa-.
ratus for communicating the motion below the fixed platform P. This
communication is accomplished by the aid of a horizontal toothed wheel E.
gearing into a horizontal endless screw a', the axis of which a" is prolonged.
beyond the platform, and carries a cranked handle M, by the aid of which the
operator causes it to turn with a rapidity corresponding to the sensitiveness of
the prepared surface. The fixed platform P is an important part of the
apparatus, it ought to have a very true plane surface; it is strengthened by
the pieces M', M', placed beneath it, and having the form of a triangle,
within which the vertical from the centre of gravity of the apparatus in all the
positions of the camera falls; these again are supported by three strong angle
pieces M", M", which support the apparatus when it is placed on a table or
stand. The slide which carries the sensitized glass is composed of two distinct
parts, one a sash which carries the glass E, and the other a frame which
receives and carries the said sash. The sash is represented in Figures 1, 2,
and 3, Sheet 2; Figure 1 is a side view of it, the board or plate which fixes
the glass being supposed removed; Figure 2 is a horizontal section, and
Figure 3 is a transverse section. The dotted lines in each of these Figures
indicate the sash frame, which is separately shewn in Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8,
Sheet 2; Figure 4 being a side view; Figure 5, a horizontal section; Figure 6,
a transverse section; Figure 7, an inside end elevation; and Figure 8, an
elevation of the opposite end. The sash is made of a rectangular frame e, e,
and carries on its front face, on the side of the object glass, a grooved shutter
ff, kept in position by a small shutter g, g, binged at the extremity of the
sash on two vertical hinges g', g', and kept against the sash by two strips of
india-rubber g², g². This arrangement permits of the shutter being removed
to expose the sensitized surface to the full light when the sash has been fixed
in the sash frame and camera, and of its being put back again after the glass
has received the image before removing it and replacing it by another. The
glass or other sensitized surface i, i, is fixed in the ordinary manner by means
of a spring board j, j, kept in the sash by four buttons, ¹; the sash frame

page_text: has the interior dimensions of the camera, but in height it is a little less. In
the upper part a horizontal hard wooden tongue is fitted, and slides in a
groove formed in the upper side of the camera. For the apparatuses for
positive proofs on plates I also place a tongue at the lower part, but for
collodion apparatuses, where this tongue is likely to get wet and stretch, I have
done away with it. The groove formed in the lower part of the camera may
be dispensed with, and replaced by a tongue made of ebony h¹¹, on which an
ivory grooved roller " fixed to the sash rests. This sash resting at its other
extremity on the guide curve is sufficiently guided in its horizontal movement.
The thickness of the sash frame is a little more than that of the sash, thus
enclosing the rectangular space e¹, e, e", e", in which the sash is placed, and
where it is kept firm by two pins d', d', in the sash frame, which enter into
corresponding holes in the sash, and is held by two catches or buttons d', d².
The exterior part of the sash frame is furnished with an end piece h, h, the
breadth and length of which exceed the thickness and depth of the sash frame,
as is seen in Figure 8, Sheet 2. This end piece has at its lower part a longi-
tudinal enlargement or cleat h*, to which are fitted three ivory rollers, which
are important, as they determine both the precision and the facility of the
motion of the sash in conjunction with the rotation of the apparatus. The
first h', which is drawn full size in conjunction with other parts in Figures
9, 10, and 11, Sheet 2, is vertical; it is fixed on a steel rod, around which it
turns. This rod is firmly held between two copper plates h² and h³, rivetted
and bolted against the lower enlargement or cleat on the end piece h, h, of the
sash; this roller is supported on the outer face of the guide curve c, c. With
regard to the two other rollers and k², the first ¹ is placed at the lower
part of the end piece of the sash frame, and supports itself and rolls upon the
upper face of the curve c in such a manner as to maintain with the roller h¹
the horizontal motion of the sash; the other 2 is placed on the side, and rolls
against the sides of a horizontal square piece K, which serves to maintain the
motion of the sash frame in the direction of the tongue on which the roller
h¹ rolls, to render the movement as easy as possible. The sash frame, at its
side which is opposite to the object glass, is furnished with a grooved shutter ?,
to protect from the action of the light the different parts of the sensitized
glass as they leave the camera during the rotation of the apparatus after the
impression has been taken. For this purpose it carries a fixed stop piece l',
which when the shutter is quite open comes against a vertical sliding tongue
1a, which is raised to admit of the introduction of the sash into the camera,
and which is returned to its position when the sash is completely introduced.
Before commencing the operation the shutter is quite opened, where it is

page_text: Upon the size of this
or plate depends the
This motion ought to be
retained by the stop 1, and it has then no other motion imparted to it than
that caused by the general rotation of the apparatus, but remains relatively
fixed, the movement of the sash taking place behind it. This last motion is
determined by the action of the roller h¹ against the curved guide c. This
guide c is formed of a piece of hard wood, and fixed by screws against the
platform P, as shewn separately in the Figures 7 and 8 of Sheet 1. The
camera is furnished between the sash frame and the object glass with a
partition m, pierced in the axis of the object glass with an opening, which
may be closed by a vertical moveable board m', having a rectangular opening
covered by a diaphragm m². The rectangular opening may be made variable
with the rapidity with which the impression is received upon the substance
which has served to sensitize the glass on the plate.
opening and upon the sensitiveness of the sensitized glass
rapidity of the rotation to be given to the camera.
calculated in such a manner that the time the sash frame is moving length-
wise a distance equal to its breadth may be precisely equal to that required
for the exposure of the glass or plate in a given apparatus with the same
object glass and the same sensitizing substances. The image of a distant
point brought upon a vertical line on the ground glass should remain on this
line during the rotation of the apparatus, and should remain also at the same
height. To fulfil this condition it is indispensible that the fixed plate which
supports the apparatus be perfectly plane, a result which it is not difficult to
obtain for an apparatus of small dimensions; for a larger apparatus all the
dimensions ought of course to be increased in proportion; but the dimension
that above all it is necessary to increase is the height of the pivot which
determines the distance between the bottom of the camera and the large fixed
platform; this distance ought to be increased, in proportion to the dimensions
of the platform, to such an extent that the extremities of the latter do not
reproduce themselves: on the glass and intercept the luminous rays from the
landscape which it is desired to represent.
The apparatus for obtaining positive proofs by the aid of a prism or mirror,
as before described, is represented at Figure 9, Sheet 1. It will be sufficient
to give a general description of this without entering into details, because it
presents very little that differs from that before described.
1st, the object glass o carries a parallel mirror or a prism to change the
directions of the rays producing the images. Because of the motion of the
sash frame carrying the plate taking place in the opposite direction to that
of the rotation, the pivot p has to be carried behind the sash, that the latter
may be situated between the object glass and the pivot.

page_text: 2nd, on account of this change the small board b, b, which carries the
camera, and to which the axis of rotation p is fixed, has to be made stronger;
it has the form of a trapezium. The camera is fixed to the platform by
thumbscrews a, a.
3rd, the piece K intended to maintain the transfer of the sash into its place
has followed the alteration of the position of the centre of rotation, and has
been brought behind, as well as the little roller k by which the sash frame
supports itself upon K.
4th, the large fixed plate P is made of somewhat larger dimensions on
account of these alterations, and the angle pieces of support M", M", have at
the same time changed position, so that the triangle formed by the ribs M', M',
has altered its shape, as shewn.
The remainder of the rotating apparatus, the camera, and their appendages,
are alike in the two apparatuses, except the platform intended to carry the
metallic plate; and further, the Inventor replaces the spring plank j, j, by one
which I have represented in Figures 12, 13, and 14, Sheet 2, of which
Figure 12 is an elevation; Figure 13, a plan; and Figure 14, a cross section.
Figures 15, 16, and 17 shew respectively an elevation, a plan, and a transverse
section of the ground glass and its frame. The camera may be adapted
indifferently to either of the platforms P, and to receive at will a collodion
glass or a metallic plate. But there is a last and very important observation
to make with respect to this photographing of images produced by means of a
mirror or prism; it is, that for the clearness of such images, i. e., for maintain-
ing the image of a given point of the landscape during the movement of the
apparatus upon the same vertical and horizontal lines traced on the ground
glass, it is indispensible that the plane of the mirror be perfectly parallel to
the axis of rotation, or in other words, perpendicular to the fixed plate P, and
therefore vertical. It is placed in this position by trial, as in the construction
of the guide curve, and to prevent it from varying it is fixed to the ring of
the object glass, on which it is fitted by a screw, which serves to maintain it
permanently in this fixed position when it has once been determined.
Panoramic views reproduced upon a plane surface deform or distort all tho
lines in such views which are not parallel to the generatises of a cylinder of
which the focas is the centre, and which are not situated in a plane passing
through the eye of the observer, and perpendicular to the said generatices;
my Invention therefore includes an apparatus, simple in its construction, by
the aid of which such panoramic views may be seen without deformity or
distortion. It is composed of a semicylindrical case formed with two hori-
zontal semicircular ends connected by a curved vertical side, its radius being

page_text: equal to the focal distance of the object glass with which the picture to be
examined was produced. On the interior side of this is fixed the picture,
by means of suitable hooks or otherwise, whereby the said picture is made to
assume a position resembling that in which it was taken. In the axis of this
semicylindrical case is fitted a vertical pivot, carrying at its middle a moveable
lens, which may be adapted to various views and be directed towards all
points of the proof, so that by applying his eye to this lens the observer may
see the images as they appeared when transferred to the sensitized surface,
and with a certain increase of size and a relation between their parts somewhat
analagous to the illusion produced by the stereoscope.
In most cases a horizon of 100° will be sufficiently extended, and when a
monument has to be reproduced it will be often found advisable to limit the
horizon to 70° (which is double the horizon embraced by the fixed appa-
ratuses), and to employ an object glass with a long focus for producing a
picture on a large scale.
The change of the object glass with a single camera presents no difficulty,
the change of the guide curve presents no more; it is sufficient that the small
moveable base and the fixed platform be large enough to permit either of the
camera being placed at the required distance from the axis of rotation, or of a
new curved guide being fixed.
And having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,-
First, the production of photographic pictures of panoramic or other views
of any desired extent, by causing the camera, with the prepared surface, object
glass, &c., to revolve together, about a pivot, as herein-before described.
Second, the construction of apparatus for taking photographic pictures in
which a rotary motion is imparted to the camera and a corresponding lateral
motion simultaneously to the sensitized surface, essentially as hercin-before
described, and illustrated in the Drawings hereunto annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Archibald Brooman, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Sixth day of April, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-eight.