“The first rubber balloon that most closely resembles modern balloons was invented by Michael Faraday in 1824. However, he didn’t invent them because he had a party coming up and needed table decorations, the balloons were in aid of his scientific experiments.”
Post-Mortum photography was one’s last chance to have an image of a loved one before they were buried and wanting these loved ones posed in a “natural” setting was much desired.
There are those who pooh-pooh Post-Mortum photography with explanations for the metal supports sometimes seen in some photos as being simply to hold a (living) subject still for the long duration exposure of the film rather than to support a dead body. This is doubtful as magnesium flash for photography was patented in 1862, and many studios were built with large windows to allow for sunlight and mirrors employed to provide additional light to cut down on any need for a long exposure.
In 1983 my wife and I visited Machu Picchu. Unfortunately during a train strike, so we got to hike there on the (idle) railroad tracks, from where the road ended at beyond Ollantaytambo. 18 miles one day, two days later, 18 miles back, middle day at the ruins (which we had to ourselves because of the train strike). On our way, we accreted a friendly dog from one of the villages, which followed us. Not only all the way to the train station, but the second day he joined us at the ruins — 2000 feet up! He also followed us back, peeling off at his home village. So Hugo, you have a ways to go!
The death photos are both creepy and very, very sad. It’s surprising how alive some of the dead people look in the photos, though. In black and white you don’t see the differences in coloring, although the fingers do look dark, so often the hands were hidden. I saw one photo of a pair of sisters and I couldn’t tell which was the dead sister!
pearlsbs over 5 years ago
“The first rubber balloon that most closely resembles modern balloons was invented by Michael Faraday in 1824. However, he didn’t invent them because he had a party coming up and needed table decorations, the balloons were in aid of his scientific experiments.”
http://fillnaway.com/2019/04/26/invention-of-the-balloon-took-flight/
Leroy over 5 years ago
Then in 1825, Georg Ohm filled one with water and drenched Faraday. Then they both got back to their studies of electricity.
The Cunning Linguist over 5 years ago
The smaller balloons they used as condoms.
Bilan over 5 years ago
The balloons didn’t last very long when Professor Faraday put them in his cage.
Meh~tdology, fka Pepelaputr over 5 years ago
Post-Mortum photography was one’s last chance to have an image of a loved one before they were buried and wanting these loved ones posed in a “natural” setting was much desired.
There are those who pooh-pooh Post-Mortum photography with explanations for the metal supports sometimes seen in some photos as being simply to hold a (living) subject still for the long duration exposure of the film rather than to support a dead body. This is doubtful as magnesium flash for photography was patented in 1862, and many studios were built with large windows to allow for sunlight and mirrors employed to provide additional light to cut down on any need for a long exposure.
Pinterest has many examples.
therese_callahan2002 over 5 years ago
I’ll bet ten to one this is what inspired the Weekend At Bernie’s movies.
khmo over 5 years ago
So Faraday is responsible for the environmental mess balloons create today!
NeedaChuckle Premium Member over 5 years ago
They weren’t balloons, he was embarrassed when caught with them and came up with the balloon idea on the spot!
J Short over 5 years ago
The death photos are okay, but seeing the same dead person in the family Christmas Card photo 3 years in a row starts to get a little creepy.
Huckleberry Hiroshima over 5 years ago
I’m with you, Hugo.
ekke over 5 years ago
In 1983 my wife and I visited Machu Picchu. Unfortunately during a train strike, so we got to hike there on the (idle) railroad tracks, from where the road ended at beyond Ollantaytambo. 18 miles one day, two days later, 18 miles back, middle day at the ruins (which we had to ourselves because of the train strike). On our way, we accreted a friendly dog from one of the villages, which followed us. Not only all the way to the train station, but the second day he joined us at the ruins — 2000 feet up! He also followed us back, peeling off at his home village. So Hugo, you have a ways to go!
Templo S.U.D. over 5 years ago
You go, Hugo
Stephen Gilberg over 5 years ago
I learned of death photos from “The Others.”
WDD over 5 years ago
I think I saw some presentations of pretty corpses in one of the slideshow presentations done on YouTube — morbid.
Sassy's Mom over 5 years ago
The death photos are both creepy and very, very sad. It’s surprising how alive some of the dead people look in the photos, though. In black and white you don’t see the differences in coloring, although the fingers do look dark, so often the hands were hidden. I saw one photo of a pair of sisters and I couldn’t tell which was the dead sister!