Patent of the Motor-Driven Vacuum Cleaner by J.S. Thurman
1899 · St. Louis, United States
J.S. Thurman of the United States patented the motor driven vacuum cleaner. This was one of the early advances in household cleaning technology.
David Houston Patents the First Roll Film for Photography
On October 11, 1881, David Henderson Houston, an inventor hailing from Wisconsin, significantly advanced photographic technology by patenting the first roll film, a crucial development for both photography and the nascent field of motion pictures. This innovation marked a departure from the cumbersome and fragile glass plates previously used in photography.
Background
Before Houston’s invention, photography relied heavily on wet plate processes, using large, inflexible glass plates coated with light-sensitive chemicals. This method was cumbersome and limited the ease with which photography could be conducted outside of a studio setting.
Development of Roll Film
David Houston’s patent detailed a groundbreaking method of placing photographic emulsions directly onto a flexible, transparent film base, which could be wound into a roll. This advancement allowed for multiple exposures to be made economically and without the necessity of changing plates. His design included:
- Flexible Support Material: Employing a transparent, flexible base for photographic emulsions.
- Spool System: Utilizing a spool to wind and unwind the film, making it portable and practical for on-the-go photography.
Impact
Houston’s roll film technology proved integral to the evolution of cameras. It laid the groundwork for the invention of convenient and portable cameras such as those that would be popularized by George Eastman and Kodak later. This flexibility also seeded the early development of motion picture cameras, enabling the capture of moving images, which previously required a complicated setup involving multiple cameras.
Significance
David Houston’s roll film was a pivotal leap forward in making photography more accessible to amateurs and professionals alike. By simplifying the photographic process, it democratized photography, allowing more people to capture and preserve moments. Furthermore, it provided a vital building block for the motion picture industry, which would emerge as a new form of entertainment and art in the decades that followed.
Houston’s invention is an excellent example of how technological advancements can cross-pollinate industries, fostering innovation and transforming cultural practices.