Historic 1894 book -- A Review

[fj834@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Dr. George A. Themelis)]

Reel 3-D did it again with a new book, the second in the "Historical 3-D 
Reprint Series".  This one is called "The Stereoscope and Stereoscopic 
Photography" and was written by F. Drouin in France in 1894.  The reprint 
is from a 1894 English translation.
 
I read the book from cover to cover and found it so fascinating that I 
could not put it down until I was done.  David and Susan say: "Many ideas 
and inventions in the field of three dimensional imaging seem new and 
revolutionary today.  However, upon further investigation, you will find 
here a nineteenth century world of forgotten resources...".  
 
And Dr. T. says:  "That's definitely the case... "
 
Drouin's book, as the title suggests, focuses on Stereoscopes.  The variety 
of devices described in the book exceeded my wildest imagination.  First, 
we have the iconosope, a device which eliminates stereoscopic relief by 
reducing the interocular when viewing close-up objects.  Then, we have the 
telestereoscope which increases the relief of distant objects by increasing 
the interocular.  (This device was discussed recently in the list, prompted 
by someone who rediscovered the device and called it a "Gozillascope". 
According to Drouin, the telestereoscope was invented by Helmholz in 1857.)  
 
In-between these extremes we have an impressive variety of stereoscopes 
with mirrors, lenses and/or prisms.  From a simple mirror stereoscope to 
"View-Magic" for panoramic prints.  There is a discussion on single lens 
3-d and also a mention of projection with polarized light using nicols 
prisms.  Of course, as Susan and David comment in the introduction, 
practical polarized projection had to wait 40 years for Edwin Land to 
develop thin plastic polarizing material [and 50 more years for Bob 
Brackett to develop a dissolve stereo projector...] but the idea was 
there in 1897.
 
A few abstracts of interest:  
 
- On France vs. England: "It is curious to note that although the 
stereoscope was an English invention, the French makers were the first to 
recognize its possibilities... These makers had, moreover, the satisfaction 
of seeing their ideas shortly put into practice in England itself."
 
- On "high-speed" 3-d photography with flash: "Magnesium light... has at 
least a duration of a third or a quarter of a second; whilst special 
mixtures... have for their duration only 1/60 part of a second.  In spite 
of the precautions necessary in the manipulation of these mixtures, we must 
always give them the preference when it is necessary to reduce to a minimum 
the time of exposure."  Franklin Flocks, please take note!!!
 
- On the value of stereoscopy:  "In our opinion stereoscopic relief forms 
one of the most beautiful phenomena of natural philosophy.  It is 
impossible not to be filled with admiration on first using the 
stereoscope."  And on the value of snapshots(!): "Instantaneous pictures... 
are very precious documents."  On the use of 3-d in advertising: "We have 
seen a catalogue of machinery, illustrated stereoscopically... by no other 
process can the exterior aspect of an object be so clearly shown."
 
- On the subject of orthostereoscopy: "how far apart the lenses of the two 
cameras should be, to secure exact relief?  On this point authorities on 
stereoscopic matters have expressed radically different opinions..."
[Clearly, this subject had to wait 100 years for John B. to end the 
confusion and deliver the definite and mathematically correct answer.]
 
David and Susan write: "In this reprint of a book from more than 100 years 
ago we hope that you will find that what is old is new again, and 
appreciate the legacy of our stereoscopic predecessors." 
 
And Dr. T. says:  "YES!  This book helped me understand and appreciate the 
stereoscopic knowledge of the late 19th century.  Many thanks to Reel 3-D 
for making this rare book available to us today."
 
The 180 page book is similar in appearance and quality to the "Stereoscopic 
Phenomena of Light & Sight" (the first in the Historical 3-D Reprint 
series).  It is limited to 1000 reprints, and is very reasonably priced at 
$14.95.  Those who do not have the first book (or even those who do!), can 
take advantage of a special (and very generous) offer and order both books 
for only $25 (I believe).  For ordering details and shipping information, 
contact Reel 3-D, P.O. Box 2368, Culver City, CA 90231 USA, or call (310) 
837-2368.


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