Photographic Historical Timeline 1777 Silver Chloride Carl Wilhelm Scheele

Описание: Photographic Historical Timeline 1777 Silver Chloride Carl Wilhelm Scheele

In 1777, a significant breakthrough in the understanding of the properties of silver chloride and its reaction to light was made by the Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele. His investigations into this substance led to important discoveries that laid the foundation for the development of photography.

Similar to the findings of other researchers, Scheele observed that the blackening effect on silver chloride was not caused by heat but by exposure to light. This revelation was crucial in understanding that light played a fundamental role in the transformation of silver salts.

Moreover, Scheele went a step further and identified the blackened material as metallic silver. This was a significant revelation because it confirmed that the silver chloride underwent a chemical change upon exposure to light, resulting in the formation of metallic silver particles.

One of Scheele's notable observations was the resistance of the blackened silver to the effects of ammonia. He noticed that while ammonia was known to dissolve silver chloride, it had no effect on the blackened silver. This discovery had tremendous implications as it hinted at the possibility of stabilizing the blackened silver and preserving it against further chemical reactions.

Had Scheele fully grasped the significance of his discovery, he might have become the inventor of photography. At this point in history, the essential processes of photography, such as the light sensitivity of silver salts and the formation of metallic silver, were already understood. However, the realization that ammonia did not affect the blackened silver could have provided a crucial clue for developing a more stable and permanent photographic process.

Despite the missed opportunity, Scheele's contributions to the understanding of silver chloride and its reaction to light were remarkable. His work laid the groundwork for subsequent advancements in the field of photography, and his findings served as building blocks for the pioneers who would eventually bring photography to fruition. Scheele's discoveries, combined with the continued efforts and ingenuity of others, would pave the way for the birth of photography as we know it today.

The work provided are for a non-commercial purpose only.The material used has been only used for the purpose of being able to learn how photography works and its history.

Sources
Brian Coe
The Birth of Photography

wikipedia