"Facts Relating to Optical Science" in The Philosophical Magazine

William Henry Fox Talbot. ++Flame Analysis++

Published by London, Richard Taylor., 1834

About this Item

William Henry Fox Talbot. ++Flame Analysis++ "Facts Relating to Optical Science" in The Philosophical Magazine, third series, vol IV, January-June 1834, pp viii, 472. Beautifully and newly rebound in calf-backed marbled boards, raised bands, red and green spine labels. A lovely piece of work. The Fox Talbit appeasrs on pp 112-114, particulary section 5, "Lithia Flame" that appeasrs on page 114. [++] William Henry Fox Talbot (1800-1877) was among the earliest of the photographic pioneers, or pre-pioneers, as he asserted priority of his photographic method for 1835 when Daguerre revealed his own (very different) method in 1839. Talbot (or Fox Talbot) was also a practitioner of the art, publishing a stone-cold and revolutionary work of photographically illustrated books, "The Pencil of Nature".  In 1834, William Henry Fox Talbot (1800-1877) began experimenting with light-sensitive chemicals to create images on paper. His work in optics and chemistry laid the foundation for modern photography. [++] "MORE than a century has elapsed since Fox Talbot laid the foundations of chemical analysis with the spectroscope by his observation that lithia and strontia could be distinguished by optical analysis of their flame spectra. This original idea has proved so fertile that there are now few elements traces of which cannot be identified by their spectra. It is appropriate that Talbot, a notable pioneer in photography, should have initiated a technique which owes so much to the photographic plate. Indeed the development of spectroscopy and its widespread use in present day industry would not have been possible without the photographic recording medium. Perhaps it is almost equally true that this expansion would not have occurred without the modern spectrograph with its twin virtues of optical excellence and simplicity of operation."--L. Thomas, "Spectroscopic Methods of analysis," Nature, 148, 1941, pp 68-9.

Seller Inventory # ABE-1736991745056

Bibliographic Details

• Title: "Facts Relating to Optical Science" in The Philosophical Magazine
• Publisher: London, Richard Taylor.
• Publication Date: 1834
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Fine
• Weight: 1 pound
• Seller catalogs:
  • Chemistry
  • Physics