Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 52.djvu/192

178 {|width=215px A squad of soldiers at drill. Chief among these causes must be mentioned the use of faulty apparatus and of films of inferior quality, or which have become worn by frequent and prolonged use. Minor blemishes are, however, of common occurrence, even when the best obtainable apparatus and materials are used for the purpose. These are referable chiefly to defects in the sensitized films of celluloid. But there is no reason to doubt that better films can be produced, and that pictures of this nature will ultimately be rendered as free from defects as are ordinary stereopticon views.
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Meanwhile, these striking productions of the photographic art will doubtless continue to attract the world's attention. They have already become a source of much instructive entertainment to the public; and their usefulness, from this point of view, must be recognized by all. But the invention has other and more serious claims upon our consideration. As a means of permanently recording and vividly illustrating notable events its importance will scarcely be overestimated. The ordinary photography can depict for us only isolated phases in the varied phenomena of life or Nature; though the value of its precise records, from the historian's standpoint, has of course received ample recognition. But the charm of animation may henceforth be added to our portrayals of historic scenes. And, in like manner, we shall be enabled to record the mutable expressions, the gestures and mannerisms, as well as the features, of distinguished men and women; while the value of all such records must increase with the lapse of time. These aspects of our subject are, indeed, so attractive that one is tempted to dilate upon them at some length; but I shall content myself with a brief allusion to one recent event in which the whole world has evinced keen interest—viz., the