The late 1800’s and Edwardian era were a time of great technological adventure and ‘world firsts’. Here The Hartlepool Mail are reporting that the forthcoming eclipse will be filmed using a process of moving pictures.
Eclipse and Cinematograph
For the first time in the history of eclipse observation a cinematograph will be used (for?) the total solar eclipse of January 21st 1898.
The Rev. J.M. Bacon, who has charge of the bulk of the members of the British Astronomical Association Eclipse Party, will take out a very powerful cinematograph (furnished and adapted by Mr Nevil Maskelyne), which will enable five or six photographs per second to be taken.
If this instrument will only give successful results the most complete series of photographs ever procured in an eclipse will be obtained, and these moving pictures should throw great light on the phenomena afforded by the sun’s eclipse.
The Reverend Bacon and Nevil Maskelyne, F.R.A.S (inventor and magician) collaborated with several electronic experiments during this era. Maskelyne (1863–1924) “was a competitor and public detractor of Guglielmo Marconi in the early days of radio (wireless). On one occasion he hacked into Marconi’s demonstration of wireless telegraphy, and broadcast his own message, hoping to make Marconi’s claims of “secure and private communication” appear foolish.” His father, John Nevil Maskelyne (22 December 1839 – 18 May 1917), was the inventor of the pay toilet, along with many other Victorian-era devices.
Ian Waugh
Old British News
