The Fine Details
While we often think that we have come so far with technology, sometimes the old adage that "They don't make things like they used to is still true." Photography in the mid- to late 1800's was either in bloc and white or low-color sepia and usually required subjects to sit still for maybe 20-30 seconds before an exposure could be made - not digitally, not even on film - but on a glass plate treated with chemicals.
However, over the last twenty years forensic historians and scientists have discovered something amazing about these old photos - they possess a resolution that measures in the millions of megapixels! Their only limit so far seems to be the modern limit on scanning technology. |
How Photos Used to Be Made |
Resources at the Library of Congress
Located in Washington, DC, the Library of Congress is the 2nd largest library in the world. After it was burnt by the British in 1814, the restoration began with the purchase of Thomas Jefferson's person library. Today it is the home to over 160 million items! After we look at some of the pictures at the bottom of the page, return here to check out some of their many resources.
The Library of Congress has a free online digital collection that measures in the millions. Letters, audio, video, pictures, and much more. You can find their home page by clicking on the link below.
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Looking for great original photos from the Civil War? The high school yearbook of a famous celebrity or maybe even your parents? Browse through the Prints & Photographs collection below.
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You can access the Library's digital collections by clicking the link below. Some of my favorites collections are "America at Work," "After the Day of Infamy," and "Baseball Cards".
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As a history teacher and an American, I don't believe there is anything more important than remembering and honoring the price that American veterans have paid for our freedom. Check out the link below to discover the stories of those who have served our country.
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What's in a picture?
John Burns, Hero of Gettysburg
John Brown was a 70 year old civilian resident of Gettysburg when the Union and Confederate armies came to town. He was the only town resident to pick up a weapon and join in the fight. He was fought heroically and was wounded perhaps as many as 3 times. He was the only resident of the town Lincoln asked to visit when he delivered the Gettysburg Address. Take a close look at his pants. You might just see something that was a big problem in the days and weeks after the battle.
General Grant's Headquarters at City Point, Virginia
Towards the end of the Civil War, City Point, VA served as Gen. Grant's headquarters. In this picture of General Grant's staff, can you find evidence of how some soldiers passed the time when not about their military duties?
A "contraband" soldier near Culpeper, VA.
Here is a photo of an African-American soldier taken near Culpeper, Virginia. Just how good is the resolution on these antique glass plate images? Check out his hands!
Burial Detail near Fredericksburg, Virginia
One of the most common fears mentioned by soldiers in war after war is the fear of becoming an "unknown". Thousands of American families have experienced the loss of loved ones during military service; thousands more have had to live with the agony of not knowing. With a little bit of forensic history and some increased technology, images like the one above is being used to solve mysteries over a century old.