1882 William Jennings – Lightning

William Jennings' lightning photos, catalyzed both scientific insight and photographic innovation.

In the late 19th century, William Jennings charted new territory by capturing lightning, an achievement that previously seemed unattainable due to the era's slow exposure times. These pioneering images not only served as a technical breakthrough but also provided a visual spectacle of lightning’s intricate structures. Jennings' success laid the groundwork for high-speed photography, facilitating later advancements that could capture even faster phenomena like bullets in flight and splashing droplets.

His work unveiled the hidden complexities of lightning—its branching paths and the dynamic interactions within a storm. This not only advanced scientific understanding of atmospheric electricity but also captivated the public and artists alike, merging aesthetic allure with empirical research. Jennings’ photographs became a crucial junction in the history of photography, expanding its role from mere documentation to a vital instrument in both artistic and scientific explorations.

Credit: William Nicholson Jennings, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Author: William N. Jennings
Title: Unknown
Date: 2 September 1882
Archive: George Eastman Museum
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Original file: 1024 × 853 pixels, file size: 213 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg
Description: transparency, gelatin on glass
Available information: First Photograph of Lightning, taken 2 September 1882, Philadelphia. Silver gelatin print. The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia.