stereoscopic photographs

Taxonomy

Code

300162872

Scope note(s)

  • Refers to double pictures of the same scene that produce the effect of three dimensionality when viewed through a stereoscope. They were first envisioned in 1832 by the English physicist Charles Wheatstone, who described this as a uniquely photographic art form, since a draftsman could not draw two scenes in exact perspective from viewpoints separated only 2 1/2 inches, which is the normal distance between human eyes necessary for the three-dimensional effect. Wheatstone's mirror stereoscope was not practical for use with photographs, and the invention was not popular until the 1850s, when Sir David Brewster, a Scottish scientist, designed a simpler viewing instrument. The introduction of the collodion process, which simplified exposure and printing techniques, allowed three-dimensional photographs to become a popular craze. They may be daguerreotypes, negatives, or other forms of photographs. For images in the form of photographic prints on cards, use the more specific term

Source note(s)

  • Getty Art & Architecture Thesaurus

Display note(s)

Hierarchical terms

stereoscopic photographs

stereoscopic photographs

Equivalent terms

stereoscopic photographs

Associated terms

stereoscopic photographs

1 Archival description results for stereoscopic photographs

Electric view master stereoscope (model D)

Item is a brown handheld electric view master first manufactured by Swayer's Inc and first introduced at the New York World Fair (1939-1940). Once pressed down the lever on the side of the viewer will rotate the reel one frame at a time once pressed. Unlike previous view masters, this view master comes with a built in back light attached to an electrical cord. Once turned on the back light illuminates transparencies on view. Item is made of plastic and metal. Reel has 7 diametrical, 16 mm colour transparencies of The Atlas of Human Anatomy, Head and Neck.