1964 Harold Eugene Edgerton – Bullet through Apple

Harold Edgerton's contribution to High-Speed Photography.

The development of high-speed photography by Harold Edgerton, marks a transformative era in the history of photography, with ground-breaking visual insights. Edgerton’s iconic image of a bullet piercing an apple exemplifies this, capturing a fleeting moment at speeds unimaginable before. This photograph not only demonstrated the ability to freeze time but also revealed hidden aspects of physical dynamics, offering a new perspective on High-Speed Photography.

Edgerton synchronized strobe flashes at intervals precise enough to illuminate and capture successive phases of rapid motion, with stroboscopic photography. His invention of the electronic flash, capable of lighting for a millionth of a second, allowed him to photograph objects moving at extreme velocities, a technique previously considered unfeasible. These innovations propelled technological advancements in various scientific fields, enabling researchers to visualize and refine theories about fast-moving phenomena. Edgerton’s approach transformed photographic practice, influencing both contemporary art and scientific investigation by making complex concepts visually compelling and accessible.

Credit: Edgerton, H. (1964), © 2010 MIT. Courtesy of MIT Museum
Author: Harold Edgerton (1964)
Title: Bullet through apple
Date: 1964
Archive: MIT Museum
Source: The Edgerton Digital Collections project
Original file: 729 x 567 pixels, file size: 1.8 MB
Available information: High Speed Photography