The 1871 introduction of gelatin negative dry plates permanently altered photographic practice by eliminating the requirement for immediate wet-plate development. Richard Leach Maddox, a physician struggling with the toxic effects of ether vapor inherent to the prevailing collodion process, developed this lightweight alternative, essentially providing the foundation for modern snapshot photography and cinematography.
Photomicrography and Early Research
Before his breakthrough in photographic chemistry, Maddox gained prominence through his work in photomicrography, the practice of capturing images of minute organisms using a microscope. His expertise in this niche was significant enough that his images appeared in Lionel S. Beale’s manual, How to Work with the Microscope. This background in scientific observation provided the necessary familiarity with gelatin, a substance he understood through its use in mounting microscope slides.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Developing the Gelatin Dry Plate
The collodion process, invented in 1851, required photographers to sensitize and expose plates while still wet, a logistical burden that necessitated portable darkrooms. Seeking a safer substitute, Maddox experimented with various binding agents, including vegetable gums and starches. He eventually settled on Nelson’s Gelatine Granuals to hold silver bromide. He documented his findings in the 8 September 1871 issue of the British Journal of Photography, intending to assist the journal's editor, J. Traill Taylor, during a period of illness.
Legacy and Financial Hardship
Maddox chose not to patent his process, freely sharing his findings with the public. While this transparency enabled widespread innovation, including Charles Harper Bennett’s later commercialization of dry plates, Maddox did not profit from the advancement. His later years were marked by poor health and financial loss resulting from a breach of trust by a trustee. By 1891, the Maddox Testimonial Committee raised funds to provide financial assistance, acknowledging his vital contribution to the field.
Fast facts
- Born: 1816, Bath, England
- Died: 11 May 1902, Southampton
- Invention: Gelatin negative dry plates (1871)
- First wife: Amelia (married 1849, died 1871)
- Second wife: Agnes (married 1875)
- Awards: John Scott Award (1889), Benjamin Franklin Medal
Questions readers ask
Why did Maddox develop dry plates?
He sought to replace the wet collodion process, which required toxic ether and immediate plate processing.
Did Maddox benefit financially from his invention?
No, he released his findings to the public without patents and suffered significant financial losses later in life due to a trustee's misconduct.
Achievements
- Benjamin Franklin Medal
.jpg)
