DAY 88

PHOTOGRAPHIC CURIOSITIES

Revolver Camera

GIVING NEW MEANING TO THE TERM “PHOTO SHOOT”

Beginning in the mid-19^th century, a variety of cameras appeared that were made to resemble walking canes, pocket watches, hats, and handbags. Perhaps the most peculiar permutation was the camera that looked similar to a revolver. Initially developed in Paris in 1862, Thompson’s Revolver Photographique was later copied by other manufacturers. These cameras functioned in the same manner as a pistol would: The shutter release was a trigger, the cylinder would rotate the plates of film, and, in lieu of a viewfinder, the camera had sights on top of it to be lined up for careful aiming.¹

The concept is not necessarily as morbid or as violent as it may initially seem, given the commonplace nature of sport shooting during the historical period. Be that as it may, it is not difficult to imagine the sticky situations that might face a curious tourist who pointed a revolver at strangers while on vacation.

Given its potential for such dangerous misunderstandings, the revolver camera is (thankfully, perhaps) a thing of the past. Still, one can imagine that, for some, it would have been cathartic to use this unique apparatus to draw a bead on certain in-laws while taking the family Christmas photo. —DJS