Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 December 1906 — The First Photography. [ARTICLE]

The First Photography.

It was In 1842 that John Draper, then a professor In the University of New York, made the first portrait photograph. The subject was Elizabeth Draper, his sister. Professor Draper had the Idea that in order to produce distinct facial outlines in photography It would he necessary to cover the countenance of the person photographed with flour. This seems a strange notion now, and It proved not to he a good one then, for all of Professor Draper’s early attempts were failures. Finally he left off the flour and then was quite successful. This so delighted him that he sent the picture to Sir William Hersehel, the eminent English astronomer. Sir William waß In turn delighted and made known Professor Draper’s success to the scientific men of Europe. He also sent Professor Draper a letter of acknowledgment and congratulation, which has been carefully preserved In the archives of the Draper family.