Patents

The history of photography is a history of invention. Every iconic image rests on a foundation of chemical formulas, mechanical gears, and optical breakthroughs protected by the seal of a patent. This theme delves into the technical genealogy of the medium, mapping the explosion of creativity that transformed a cumbersome scientific curiosity into a ubiquitous global tool.
 
We track the "paper trail" of innovation—from Fox Talbot’s calotype restrictions and George Eastman’s empire-building patents to the fierce rivalries over color processes and shutter mechanisms. By examining these technical blueprints, we reveal the hidden commercial wars and brilliant engineering feats that allowed us to fix time upon a surface.

Membership Access Required

Inspect the Blueprints
 
View the inventions and technical milestones that built the medium.