Jack the Ripper Tech

[RivkahChaya]

That's a good question Rick. They weren't apparently doing [mugshots] in 1888 or we'd have some from the JtR investigation, like Pizer for instance. Oddly, they were photographing insane asylum inmates it seems.

One problem with mugshots is that you had to get people to hold still while the film was exposed. A criminal (alleged) who knows he is being photographed as evidence against him, or to aid in future investigations, is probably going to squirm enough to make the process difficult. I don't know what they did different in New York, but I wouldn't be surprised if it had to do with guns. I'll bet you can hold pretty still if someone is threatening to shoot you.

A source I have says the death penalty wasn't totally abolished in all British overseas territories until 2002.

This former overseas territory still has it, at least in most states.

Illinois doesn't have the death penalty, though, does it? Isn't that why, every time that TV show The Good Wife (about lawyers, for you non-USers) wants to have a death penalty story, they have to have the lawyers drive over the border into Indiana? Because when you are appealing your death sentence, you definitely want to hire an out-of-state lawyer from a non-death penalty state.

20 people have been executed in Indiana since 1977 (21, if you count Timothy McVeigh, but that was a Federal execution, and the Federal gov't chose the place), and two of them were on The Good Wife. Seriously, there hasn't been an actual execution here since 2009, but people are going to think we are as blood-thirsty as Texas, and try to deny people appeals lawyers, because of that show.

[Cogidubnus]

Only if it was actually delivered and actually worked Stan!

Dave

[sdreid]

Looks like the spy cam biz was pretty lucrative back in the 1880s.

[TradeName]

Marion's Parcel Camera

I haven't come across any samples of photos taken with the "Demon" camera.

Here's an earlier type of detective camera:

Practical Guide to Photography (London: Marion and Co., 1887), Ads Pages 53
by Marion and Company


From Google Books

I think the guy with the camera looks way more suspicious than anyone he may be photographing.

A discussion of "detective cameras" from 1888:

The Photographic News, May 25, 1888, Pages 334-335

North London Photographic Society. An ordinary meeting was held on May 15th, J. Traill Taylor in the chair.

Several members exhibited prints from negatives taken on the preceding Saturday at Enfield.

The President opened the discussion on "Detective Cameras" by exhibiting and explaining one of the form first introduced by the Scovill Company, and which has formed the model for many of the English detective cameras now in the market. It consisted practically of a small bellows-bodied camera enclosed in a leather-covered case, which also provided space for carrying several dark slides. All the motions necessary for taking a picture, except that of changing the dark slide, could be performed without opening the case, the focussing lever, trigger, and screw for regalating [sic] speed of shutter being placed underneath the case, a sufficiently deep flange all round protecting them when the camera was stood down, and at the same time effectually concealing them from view. The holes for the lens, finders, and focussing screen were covered by sliding plates of ebonite, so that the whole apparatus looked like a plain satchel or cornet case. Although this camera was provided with finders, he had not found them necessary, as with a little practice the image could be well centered on the plate, the operator being better able to judge the correct moment for exposure by watching the object than by looking at the very small screen of the finder. The President also exhibited a very handsome detective camera by Anthony, of New York, which attracted as much attention by the perfection of its arrangements as by its size, being enclosed in an alligator portmanteau as large as the ordinary traveller requires for a few days' journey. It did not materially differ in its leading features from the Scovill type, but afforded facilities for carrying a large reserve of plates. As an example of quite a different type, Mr. Taylor showed Sharland's Aurora Camera, invented by Samuels, which was truly a model of compactness. Externally, it was a small ebonised box about the size and shape of a very small cigar box, the only opening visible being that for the lens. On opening the lid the front part of the box was found to be utilised as the camera body, while the back portion contained a dozen plates, each fixed in a metal sheath, all the sheaths being in close contact. When a plate has been exposed it is simply raised by a small spring and passed over to the back of the chamber, leaving the next plate ready for exposure, the top of the chamber being covered with a flexible bag through which the plate is grasped during the operation of changing. The bag in the specimen shown was made of india-rubber cloth, but this was liable to become torn or cut. Mr. Rouch had made an improvement by substituting soft Suede leather, which was always soft, and was also much more durable.

S. W. Rouch said that, besides the leather bag, he had introduced other improvements in Mr. Samuel's camera, and exhibited two cameras somewhat similar to the one shown by Mr. Taylor, but with an improved shutter working immediately in front of the plate. There was also an arrangement by which fresh plate chambers, each carrying a dozen plates, could be attached to the camera. The lens was adjusted so that all objects beyond fifteen feet distance were in focus. A front and back sight afforded the means of correctly centering the picture on the plate.

W. Bedford showed a camera of the Samuels type constructed of an ordinary cigar box, in which he had fixed a Wray lens, behind which was a revolving shutter, made in the form of a segment of a cylinder, having a vertical wedge-shaped slit in it. This was made to pass rapidly behind the lens by means of a Bpring, and wedge-shaped opening allowing a greater exposure to be given to the foreground. He thought that the shutters of detective cameras should not be too rapid, as the subjects were usually near the camera. His shutter somewhat resembled that invented by Mr. Bolas, who was one of the first to construct a detective camera.

The President said that Mr. Bedford's shutter seemed well adapted to the purpose he designed it for. It was, perhaps, worth mentioning, however, that the cylindrical shutter was originally invented by Professor Piazzi Smyth, who used it in his smalll Egyptian camera. It was exhibited and described at the Edinburgh Photographic Society in May, 1866.

Walter Few next showed a very ingenious arrangement for detective work. He said that the very short exposures necessary could only be given during a portion of the day, while good piotures could be taken in the ordinary way, both in the early morning and the latter part of the day. In order, therefore, to be provided for any class of subject, he had constructed a cloth-covered case resembling the Scovill pattern, but slightly larger; in this he had fixed a 5 by 4 camera by Dallmeyer, with all possible movements, a Wray's rapid lens, and a Kershaw shutter; the box also contained, in the otherwise waste space, the focussing cloth, tripod head, and two dozen plates. The camera was always ready for an exposure when being carried, while if a portrait or interior was required, the camera could be instantly removed from the case and fixed on the tripod stand.

C. E. Miles exhibited the Artists' Hand Camera, which, although intended for the same purpose as an ordinary detective camera, made no attempt at concealment. It was a mahogany box with a rapid lens projecting from the front, a rotating shutter working inside the camera; the upper portion of the box was utilised as a finder, a spring hood screening extraneous light off a good-sized screen. The dark slides were of the envelope form, an external sheath drawing down, and leaving the plates inside the camera.

W. Bishop showed a detective case which he had made for his camera. It was similar to that used by Mr. Few, but the arrangements were of a less expensive character. He used a single landscape lens with a revolving shutter made of cardboard working in front of it, giving an exposure of one-eightieth of a second. A small spirit level was let into one of the corners, so that it would serve to level the camera, whether the picture was taken horizontally or vertically. He had successfully used the camera from a railway carriage in motion, as well as from a boat and omnibus. Some very sharp and well-exposed pictures were exhibited by Mr. Bishop, as showing the efficacy of his contrivance.

T. Beck exhibited a very perfect and elaborate instrument of the Scovill type, which, while not exceeding that camera in size, had a much greater capacity for containing double dark slides, six or eight of which could easily be carried inside the case. The lens was fitted with the Iris diaphragm, which was regulated by a lever working along an index graduated to the various apertures. A Newman's shutter was fitted to the lent, and the length of exposure could be adjusted by turning the cap of the air cylinder through an opening in the outside case. If the camera was required for ordinary work, it could be fixed on a tripod stand, the shutter permitting an exposure of any length to be given, while the whole surface of the focussing screen could be seen, thus enabling the operator to properly arrange his picture.

F. Braun exhibited and explained Marion's Parcel Camera, which was the smallest and most innocent-looking of its class. It consisted of a simple box covered with brown paper, carrying a lens fitted with a very ingenious revolving shutter. The plates were carried in flexible bags, whence they were dropped into a groove in the camera, a suitable valve preventing the entrance of light. This form of camera was thought by the members to be less likely to be detected than any shown.

T. J. Collins showed a camera of the Scovill type; it was, however, fitted with a roll-holder instead of slides or platecarriers. The shutter was of the "eyelid" pattern, opening and closing from the centre. It was so arranged that it opened and closed very rapidly, thus giving the greatest effective exposure during the time the lens was open. Focussing was effected by turning a small bronzed milled head outside the camera.

T. W. Samuels said that many persons knew that he had very atrong views on the subject of detective cameras. He thought that a detective camera should be unlimited in its capabilities. What was wanted was an instrument which should always be ready for use, that the photographer could take up at a moment's notice charged with its complement of plates, and go forth ready for any subject he might encounter, be it a yacht race, a dark glen, or an interior. In making a detective camera, simplicity should be aimed at, so that the operator might be free to attend to his subject, instead of having to make careful adjustment and arrangements uf his apparatus. In making his original detective camera he had found it convenient to place the plates in sheaths similar to those used in the changing back invented by him in 1883. He had brought two cameras, made long since, with him, and would show the ease with which the manipulations were performed. When plates were used, each sheath only wanted lifting- from front to back; but if paper or films were employed, two could be placed in each carrier, back to back, and the carrier required lifting and turning round inside the bag for the second exposure. Where a focussing arrangement was deemed necessary, he thought the lever attachment the most convenient, and as he saw it on several of the cameras exhibited on the present occasion, he felt some satisfaction in being able to claim it as his own invention. Of course, in building a detective camera, every one would, as far as possible, try to utilise lenses and shutters which they already possessed; but where a shutter had to be fitted, a simple slip of metal, perforated in the centre and passing through the lens in the diaphragm slot, would be found perfectly effective; and if a thread was attached to each end of it, it could be pulled in either direction, so that it was practically always set. For centering the picture, a view meter was superior to a finder, as the operator had the advantage of looking directly at his subject, and seeing the exact amount of view included in his picture. In proof of this he would refer to the fine collection of pictures exhibited some years ago at Pall Mall by Herr Brandel. This gentleman used a light metal frame fixed on top of a simple box camera.

f. W. Hart said he was glad to hear the drop-shutter in the diaphragm slot so well spoken of. Those present might recollect that some time since he exhibited a Beries of views taken by an amateur with such a shutter; they were marine pictures, and comprised an albatros on the wing, dolphins, 4c, and testified to the extreme rapidity of this form of shutter.

In consequence of the lateness of the hour, it was decided to postpone the discussion on the cameras exhibited till the following meeting on June 5th, when there will also be an exhibition of lantern transparencies by T. E. Freshwater.

--end

[sdreid]

I wonder if they required enlargement for proper viewing.

[sdreid]

I'd like to see an example of a picture taken with that device.

[Cogidubnus]

Marvellous

Thanks TradeName

Dave

[TradeName]

This site has pictures of the Demon Camera.

Dave, it looks like Walter O'Reilly did get in trouble with the police:

The Capricornian (Rockhampton, Qld), September 21, 1895, Page 32

MANX MANNIKINS.

AN EXTRAORDINAY TRICK.

A scientific apparatus maker named Walter O'Reilly, aged forty-eight, of 383 Edgware Road, Paddington, was charged at the Marylebone Police Court on Saturday, says the Daily Chronicle of the 22nd of July, with obtaining money by means of false pretences, with intent to cheat and defraud a number of persons. Mr. Jelf, jun., barrister, prosecuted, and Mr. Travers Humphrys [sic], barrister, defended.

The evidence was that the prisoner had advertised extensively, and had traded under different names — Van Vanstadt, the Demon Camera Company, the American Camera Company, &c, giving his address at various numbers in Edgware road and at Western road, Brighton. The allegations of a number of witnesses were that, having seen the prisoner's advertisements in newspapers and magazines, they sent orders, accompanied by postal orders, with a request to be supplied with one of the prisoner's "Demon cameras," &c., or one of the "mysterious Manx Mannikins." The orders were not executed, and the prisoner kept the money.

With regard to "the Manx Mannikins," they were declared to be really alive, that when pricked blood flows, and pain is visibly suffered. They were declared to be affectionate and inseparably attached to their owners, and that ladies carried them about with them, and were proud of them. The late Professor Huxley was said to possess a fine specimen, and was of the opinion that their origin dates from the Garden of Eden, and they were thus coeval with man. These "marvellous creatures" were said to be capable of extraordinary antics.

Inspector Arrow, who arrested the prisoner, and found on him a number of letters from persons complaining of having sent money and not received the goods they had ordered, and that the police had received something like ninety complaints about the prisoner from various parts of the country.

Detective-sergeant Doyle said he had had the prisoner's shop under observation for the past six months, and be had been to the prisoner about the complaints nine times since February last. On the 15th of February he was there twice about the complaint of Mr. Childers, of Clacton-on-Sea, and Mr. Williams, of Anglesea. The prisoner's explanation was that the orders for "Manx Mannikins" were so numerous that he could not make them fast enough, and, besides, the severe frost had prevented his getting water, which was essential in the manufacture of the article. Similar complaints were inquired about on the 28th of February and on the 25th of March, and then the prisoner said the orders had been blown out of the shop by the wind. On another occasion the prisoner said he was hard up, and bad been obliged to pawn the camera. Having spoken to other dates, the witness told the prisoner that these complaints spread over a period of seven years.

Mr. Humphrys: Have you got one of the "Manx Mannikins?"

Witness: I have, sir.

Mr. Humphrys: Can you work it? Don't be shy, officer. (Laughter.)

Witness: I'm not shy. The prisoner showed me how to put it together.

Mr. Humphrys: Now, officer, is it not a clever invention?

Witness: I think it is very funny.

More by suggestion of the learned counsel than by direct instruction, the officer produced one of the "wonderful and mysterious Manx Mannikins," and to the intense amusement of the court, showed how the trick was performed.

From a small box he produced six pieces of wax, made to represent two ears, two eyes, a nose, and a tongue. Extending his closed left hand he placed the nose, the two eyes, and the two ears between his first and second fingers, which were in a horizontal position, and the tongue between the second and third fingers. On the top of the fist he placed a hair wig, and around the whole he neatly adjusted two white handkerchiefs. By manipulating the fingers most grotesque faces were produced, and the court laughed heartily.

The witness said he had heard that many of the "Manx Mannikins" had been sold, and that Lady Randolph Churchill' had bought a dozen of them.

Mr. Curtis Bennett ordered a further remand, and on the application of Mr. Jelf certified for legal aid in the case. He refused to reduce the bail, which stands thus: prisoner himself £500, and two sureties each in £250.

--end

A related trial:

WALTER O'REILLY, Deception > fraud, 9th September 1895.

708. WALTER O'REILLY (48) , Unlawfully obtaining a cheque for 19s. 4d., with intent to defraud.

MR. BODKIN and MR. A. GILL Prosecuted; MR. H. AVERY and MR. HUMPHREYS Defended.

[...]

NOT GUILTY

--end

An account by Huxley's son:

Life and letters of Thomas Henry Huxley (London: Macmillan, 1913), Volume 3, Pages 283-284
by Leonard Huxley

Among the many journalistic absurdities which fall in the way of celebrities, two which happened this year are worth recording; the one on account of its intrinsic extravagance, which succeeded nevertheless in taking in quite a number of sober folk; the other on account of the letter it drew from Huxley about his cat. The former appeared in the shape of a highly-spiced advertisement about certain Manx Mannikins, which could walk, draw, play, in fact do everything but speak—were living pets which might be kept by any one, and indeed Professor Huxley was the possessor of a remarkably fine pair of them. Apply, enclosing stamps etc. Of course, the wonderful mannikins were nothing more than the pair of hands which anybody could dress up according to the instructions of the advertiser; but it was astonishing how many estimable persons took them for some lusus naturae. A similar advertisement in 1880 had been equally successful, and one exalted personage wrote by the hand of a secretary to say what pleasure and interest had been excited by the description of these strange creatures, and begging Professor Huxley to state if the account was true. Accordingly on January 27 he writes to his wife, who was on a visit to her daughter:—

Yesterday two ladies called to know if they could see the Manx Mannikins. I think of having a board put up to say that in the absence of the Proprietress the show is closed.

[Cogidubnus]

American Camera Company

Hi Trade Name

Maybe my memory is defective but wasn't this the company that the police issued a warning about (allegations to which the company replied in it's subsequent advertising?)...or was this someone else?

Dave

[sdreid]

Thanks TN - the original spy cam. I wonder how much light it needed.

[TradeName]

Demon Detective Camera

Pick-me-up, Volume 2, June 15, 1889, Page 175


[ATTACH]14017[/ATTACH]



The International Annual of Anthony's Photographic Bulletin (London: 1890), Ads Page 97

[ATTACH]14018[/ATTACH]


A bit about the manufacturer.

The Electrical Review, Volume 46, May 4, 1900, Page 740

BUSINESS NOTES.

Bankruptcy Proceedings.—At a sitting of the London Bankruptcy Court held last Friday, before Mr. Registrar Brougham, an application for an order of discharge was made on behalf of Walter Philip O'Reilly, manufacturing electrician, 397, Edgware Road. The bankrupt failed in June, 1892, with liabilities £2,365 against assets that have only realised £11 2s., consequently no dividend has been paid to the creditors. He manufactured and traded in scientific apparatus, toys, and novelties, and had been in business for 20 years. Between 1886 and 1892 he traded as the American Camera Company at 397 and 399, Edgware Road, and in September, 1891, be opened a branch business at 124, Old Broad Street, E C. Then in January, 1892 be disposed of those businesses to the American Camera Company, Limited, which was formed with a nominal capital of £16,000 to acquire them. The bankrupt received as consideration £500 cash, £3000 5 per cent, debentures, £1,000 preference shares, and £3000 ordinary shares. The cash was applied In payment of rent and other outgoings of the business; the debentures were distributed among certain of the creditors, and the shares which proved to be unrealisable remained in the bankrupt's possession at tbe date of the receiving order. The offences reported by the Official Receiver were (1) insufficiency of assets to pay 10s. in the £ to the creditors; (2) two previous arrangements with directors. His Honour in reviewing the case, remarked that it was the bankrupt's third experience of insolvency, and he had apparently been living upon his creditors. In 1880 he paid them 2s. in the £, eight years later he paid them 6s. in the £, and under these proceedings no dividend at all had been paid. Having regard to the fact, however, that the bankrupt had been undischarged since 1892, it would be sufficient to impose a further term of two years. Order entered accordingly.

[sdreid]

As I understand it, Geisller tubes just don't have the coating on the inside of the glass like modern fluorescents do.

[sdreid]

There was also a third type of electric light in existence during Jack's time. It was a primitive sort of fluorescent light known as a Geissler Tube.

As I understand it, modern neon lights are a version of Geissler Tubes.

[sdreid]

I wonder which were DC and which, if any, were AC.

[Ginger]

Were there any electric lights, either arc or incandescent, anywhere in London in 1888?

A more comprehensive answer:


Morris' London Business Directory for 1884 (JSC Morris; Hop Exchange; London; 1884) lists 'electrician' as a trade category, and nine of them are shown in private practice in Metropolitan London. None of them are in the east end - I'd imagine it was among the last places to get electricity.

Additionally, there's a trade magazine 'The Electrician', published in Fleet Street, and a few firms of electrical engineers listed.

There are probably a good 25 'electric light and power' companies listed, among them Anglo-American Brush Electric Light Co, Swan Electric Light Co, and Edison Electric Light Co, all early giants. Some are obviously only business offices (Edison's Indian division is listed, as is an Australian firm, and a Scottish and a South African concern share an office) but the majority seem to be small electric generating companies. None in Whitechapel, though, which isn't really surprising, as it was a new and rather costly technology.

Early electric companies generally served rather small areas, and most of these seem to be concentrated in the City proper. Additionally, a few are south of the Thames across from the Tower, but I doubt if they sent power across the river. If Whitechapel had electric light in 1888, it was probably a privately owned and operated installation with its own generator, such as a factory might have.

I'd imagine that by 1888 most people in London would have seen an electric light in operation at some time, even if it was still out of reach for home use.

-Ginger