1872

Eadweard Muybridge started his photographic compilation of animals in motion. Hired by the former governor of California, Leland Stanford, to investigate the question of 'unsupported transit' -- whether or not a trotting horse ever had all four feet off the ground, Muybridge took series of up to 25 sequential photographs a second and, despite the dim and shadowy results, proved that a trotting horse does indeed have all four hooves off the ground at certain moments. Muybridege's further studies of animal and human motion have become enduring standard reference sources for animators.

Unsurprisingly, both his photos of 'Sallie Gardner', Leland Stanford's horse, and subsequent photos of other animals and people were popular subjects for transforming into flipbook, mutoscope and other animations.

Links

Eadweard Muybridge: Father of the Motion Picture
In this online documentary by Michael Linder, you will learn how British-born Eadweard Muybridge came to America to create a revolution in photography, making him the special effects wizard of his day and a visionary who brought life to photography.

EADWEARD MUYBRIDGE of Kingston Upon Thames
Kingston Museum holds a vast collection of Muybridge's photographic work, a small portion of which is shown on these pages along with information about his life and works.

Masters of Photography: Eadweard Muybridge
Archive of images.

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