International photographer (Jan-Dec 1935)

January, 1V35 T h INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER Fifte \\ THE HORSE IN MOTION n By G. E. Van Guysling [From "A Series of Sketches" by Laura Holloway, published in 1883 by Bradley, Carretson and Co., Philadelphia, and contributed by George E. Van Guysling, of Los Angeles. A story of Muybridge's famous demonstration. This was written in 1833, ten years before Senator Stanford's death and, therefore, is claimed by the author to be the authentic story of the Muybridge transaction.] [RITERS attempting to cover the early inception and history of the moving picture art, invariably refer to the work of Prof. Eadweard Muybridge, crediting him in a general way with its introduction. Personally, I do not attach much value to this view, as there is little if any connection to be traced directly from his early work. However, the story of Professor Muybridge's taking the series of photographs referred to by subsequent writers, as given by a writer of that time in a narrative on the life of Leland Stanford, is of such interest that I believe it would prove of equal interest to many readers of The International Photographer. The story as here related follows: "Not many of our millionaires have turned authors; but ex-Governor Stanford is virtually the author of a most interesting book on the "Action of the Horse in Motion," although two other persons took a share in its production. The origin of its inception is as follows: While in California about 1870-71, Mr. Stanford possessed among his numerous fine horses a remarkably fast trotter named Occident. This animal had a most remarkable stride, twenty-three to twenty-three and a half feet and, watching this extraordinary animal, his owner became convinced that at certain instants the entire body of the horse was free of the ground, but so rapid was the motion that it was difficult for lookers-on to agree as to the fact. In 1872 a photographist named Muybridge was employed by Mrs. Stanford to take views of the house and grounds, and the ex-Governor talked with this artist as to the possibility of taking instantaneous views of moving objects, hoping that his favorite trotter might thus be taken, and the question of the precise action of "the horse in motion" be demonstrated on the photographer's plate. The artist thought it could not be done, that a "blur would be the only result." Mr. Stanford, however, insisted that with the very best apparatus, and an extremely sensitive plate, the thing was feasible ; and he offered to assume all the necessary expense to secure such improved plate and camera. Among the ingenious men employed in the car-shops of the Central Pacific Railroad Company at this time, was a Mr. Montague and a Mr. Pruiere, whom Mr. Stanford engaged to assist Mr. Muybridge in constructing an improved instrument and the result was the taking of a picture of a horse in motion in about the fiftieth part of a second. The picture was imperfect and somewhat obscure, but it satisfied Mr. Stanford that the horse was really entirely off the ground when the impression was taken ; but as there was only one instrument used and one picture obtained, it could not be decided how long the horse remained without touching the ground. After an absence of several years from California, the artist returned to the Golden State and was again employed on the Stanford estate, taking views of the improvements which had been made. He also announced that when in London he had learned that highly im proved cameras had been made there, but being very expensive he had not provided himself with one. Mr. Stanford then authorized him to send to London and procure the very best at his expense. This was done, but the next picture of Occident showed a different position, which, however, did not militate against Mr. Stanford's theory, but suggested the idea to the latter that a series of cameras should be used to give the entire action of a horse in rapid motion and not one portion of the gait only, as must always be the case with a single camera, and he again authorized Mr. Muybridge to procure twelve cameras. The twelve cameras came and were so perfectly arranged that a view was taken in about the five-thousandth part of a second. Afterwards twentyfour cameras were used. The most elaborate preparations were made to secure absolute perfection ; a building was specially erected, backgrounds arranged and the machinery to control the. operation, so as to insure the cameras doing their work in harmony, was carefully adjusted. On testing the arrangement it was found that the speed of the clock-like movement was not in precise accord with the speed of the animal, and Mr. Stanford then suggested that only the rapidity of electricity would be found sufficient. This idea, we believe, originated with Mr. A. N. Town, a well-known judge on the racecourses of the West. Again Mr. Stanford employed Mr. Muybridge to procure the services of practical electricians to assist in taking the pictures. To measure the stride of the horses, both in running and trotting and other purposes, marked boards, measuring feet and inches, were laid between the camera and the track. All the experiments and the services of those employed were made at the expense of the ex-Governor, who was determined, if his theory proved correct, to give the result to the world. When Mr. Stanford had definitely made up his mind to publish his book, he employed Dr. Stillman to assist him. Several horses were killed and dissected1 by the doctor so as to secure perfectly accurate illustrations for this interesting work, which was really written by the latter under the inspiration of his employer, Mr. Muybridge being still employed to take photographs under Dr. Stillman's direction. The machine combining the twenty-four cameras operated by electricity was called a "Zoopraiscope." This, though the combined result of Mr. Stanford's ideas and consultations with several others, was patented in the name of Mr. Muybridge at the exGovernor's expense. And, to further protect all of this artist's rights, he allowed him to have an interest in the copyright describing it, though a third person employed by Mr. Stanford might also have claimed some interest in it. This was Mr. William Hahn, an artist from Dusseldorf, who drew from the photographs all of the anatomical pictures. This book, "The Horse in Motion," published in 1882, is a very valuable contribution to science. It is (Turn to Page 18) Please mention The International Photographer when corresponding with advertisers.