Alhazen (Ibn Al-Haytham)
Camera obscura is a phenomenon in which an optical device in a dark room projects an image of its surroundings upside down. It is the first major discovery leading to the invention of the photographic camera. Usually a small hole in a window cover will do the trick on a bright day. The term is Latin for “dark room.” The camera obscura has a long and dated history – dating back to 470 to 390 BCE, since the time of Chinese philosopher Mo Ti and Aristotle. They were the first to notice the process take place in nature. The reflection is a perfect match of the outside world, colors and all.
In the 10th century, muslim scientist Alhazen wrote about naturally-occurring rudimentary pinhole cameras. In 1021 AD, he published his idea in the Book of Optics. He discovers that the smaller the pinhole, the sharper the image but less light. This is a principle later used in photography used for proper exposure.
Alhazen was born July 1st, 965 CE in Basra (present-day Iraq). He mainly lived in Cairo, Egypt until his death 74 years later. Throughout his lifetime has made significant improvements in optics, physical science, and the scientific method. Some of his contributions include catoptrics (the study of optical systems using mirrors), the relationship between the angle of incidence and refraction, and spherical aberration. He invented the first pinhole camera.
In the 17th century, it was popular to use camera obscura to aid in painting or drawing perfect images. In 1604, Johannes Kepler, an English mathematician and astronomer, is the first person to coin the term. He used this technique in order observe the reflection of the sun. He recommends using a lens to enhance the view of the reflection. In 1609, he invented the “Dipotrice” which is a device used to enhance the quality of the projection of the camera obscura – considered to be the first telescope. In 1611, he invented the first portable camera obscura.
This category is tough because it isn’t an invention by a single person. Rather it’s a collection of theories and experiments by multiple individuals across different planes at different times. What’s important to note is that camera obscura is the real contributor to the creation of photography. Without an understanding of this principle than capturing an image would be impossible. So it is important to note that all of the contributors played a key role to modern photography.
Joseph Nicéphore Niépce
Niepce was a French inventor known for being one of the inventors of photography. He was born March 7, 1765 in Chalon-sur-Saone, Saone-et-Loire, France. He attended the Oratorian College in Angers where he learned science and experimentation. For a number of years, he served as a staff officer in the French army under Napoleon’s command. In 1795, he resigned in order to pursue scientific research with his brother Claude.
Niepce first experimented with how to capture the reflect images of the camera obscura. He began with studying lithography, which is a method of printing using lithographic stone usually covered in wax or oil to transfer ink to a blank piece of paper. Later he experimented with reproducing images using an engraved stone covered in light-sensitive chemicals. At first, the crude image faded away after a short period of time and he had trouble trying to find a means of keeping the image captured permanently.
From 1817-1822, he experiments with bitumen of Judea and other resins. He discovers that it works on stone and later, glass. He then later uses pewter plates and etches them.
In 1826, he set up a camera obscura in the window of his apartment and covered a pewter plate with light-sensitive chemicals. He exposed the plate for 8 hours and successfully produced the first photographic image that he coined “heliography (sun-writing).”
In 1829, he agreed to a ten-year partnership with Louis-Jacques-Mande-Daguerre, They continued the experiments with heliography until Niepce’s death in 1833. In 1839, Daguerre’s photographic invention, the daguerreotype, became a commercial success that overshadowed Niepce’s previous invention.
Steven Sasson
Steven Sasson is an electrical engineer who’s been working at Eastman Kodak since 1973. He was born July 4th, 1950. He was raised in Brooklyn and attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he received his B.S. and M.S.
In late 1974, Gareth A. Lloyd, a supervisor, asked Sasson to attempt to build an electronic camera using a charge-coupled device (CCD). He opted to use a digital approach to eliminate the mechanical complexities of traditional film cameras. At the time, Sasson’s invention was only capable of capturing a digital image. By using cassette tapes, he was able to store images (approximately 30 at a time). This approach paid off and gave way to a new form of digital photography. Taking photos digitally would enable a user to playback using a traditional TV set.
Like most “portable” devices at the time, this invention was a monster. It sported a Super 8 movie camera lens mounted on top of a metal chassis configured with a host of wires and electrical components. Not to mention a portable cassette recorder – the equivalent to a modern-day memory card. Also, the transfer process from image to storage took roughly 23 seconds to complete. Not too shabby for a first time invention. Sasson predicted that within 15-20 years that his invention would become commonplace. He was right.
Sasson’s device was a success. It had the ability to convert a captured image into an electronic signal. The device would then digitize the electronic signal and store it into memory. In 1978, Kodak patented the invention. In 1994, they commercially sold the first digital cameras – the AP NC 2000. Later on digital cameras would incorporate LCD screens. The first was the Casio QV-10 in 1995, which retailed for $600.
In 2010, Sasson received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation award. It’s an honor granted by the President of the United States to American inventors who have made significant contributions to the development of new and important technology. Sasson’s invention of the digital camera has revolutionized the way images are captured, stored, and shared. This in turn has created new opportunities for commerce, education, and improved worldwide communication.
Today, consumers can choose from a wide array of cameras. Some go for less than $100 while others reach up towards the thousands. Virtually all of today’s digital cameras rely on Sasson’s original invention. Even cameras incorporated into our cell phones use the same exact technology. Without his contribution, websites like Flickr and Instagram would not be successful.
Works Cited
Bellis, Mary. “History of Photography and the Camera.” History of Photography: Pinhole Cameras to The Daguerreotype. About.com, n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2013. <http://inventors.about.com/od/pstartinventions/a/stilphotography.htm>.
Genuth, Iddo. “Steven Sasson – The Dawn of Digital Photography • MegaPixel – אתר התוכן הגדול בישראל לצילום MegaPixel – אתר התוכן הגדול בישראל לצילום.” עמוד הבית • MegaPixel – אתר התוכן הגדול בישראל לצילום. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2013. <http://www.megapixel.co.il/english/archive/35884>
“Invent Now | Hall of Fame | Search | Inventor Profile | Steven Sasson.” Invent Now. National Inventors Hall of Fame, n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2013. <http://www.invent.org/hall_of_fame/453.html>.
Jarvis , Audley. “How Kodak invented the digital camera in 1975 | News | TechRadar.” TechRadar | Technology News And Reviews. TechRadar, 9 May 2008. Web. 26 Mar. 2013. <http://www.techradar.com/us/news/cameras/photography-video-capture/how-kodak-invented-the-digital-camera-in-1975-364822>.
“Joseph Nicephore Niepce Biography (1765-1833).” How Products Are Made. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2013. <http://www.madehow.com/inventorbios/69/Joseph-Nic-phore-Niepce.html>.
“Joseph Nicephore Niepce: The First Photograph.” Harry Ransom Center. University of Texas at Austin, n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2013. <http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/exhibitions/permanent/firstphotograph/niepce/#top>.
Marvin, Chris. “Philosophers : Alhazen.” Trinity College. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2013. <http://www.trincoll.edu/depts/phil/philo/phils/muslim/alhazen.html>.
“President Obama Honors Nation’s Top Scientists and Innovators | The White House.” The White House. Office of the Press Secretary, n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2013. <http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/10/15/president-obama-honors-nations-top-scientists-and-innovators>.
Zahoor, Dr. A.. “ALHAZEN (965-1040 AD).” UC Santa Barbara Geography. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2013. <http://www.geog.ucsb.edu/~jeff/115a/history/alhazen.html>.
Digital Photography 