A Photographing Camera and back of Electro-shutter., 1881

Eadweard Muybridge (1830 - 1904)

RA Collection: Art

Plate B. 'A Photographing Camera and back of Electro-shutter. Two light panels of wood, each with an opening in the center are adjusted to move up and down, freely in their framework. These panels are arranged to exclude light from the lens and are held in position by a latch. At the proper time, a current of electricity charges a magnet attached to the shutter frame, an armature is thereby attracted and caused to strike the latch which holds the panels; they, being released, are drawn respectively upwards and downwards with great rapidity, by rubber springs, and light is admitted to the photographing plate while the openings in the panels are passing each other.'

The second of six introductory illustrations from Eadweard Muybridge, The Attitudes of Animals in Motion (London, 1881).