The ferrotype and how to make it - The Grian Press

20 THE FERROTYPE.
that each of the substances which compose the
three spectrums, and even each molecule of un-
equal refrangibility which constituted these sub-
Btances is endowed, like the molecules of visi-
ble light, with the property of being polarized
by reflection, and of escaping from reflection in
the same positions as the luminous molecules."
From that time numerous experiments were
conducted bv several eminent researchers, including
the discoveries of the more celebrated MM,
Niepce and Daguerre.
Daguerre and Niepce's Discovery.—To
the inventive genius of these gentlemen we are
indebted for the first application of this great dis-
covery, but, like most great conceptions of the
human mind, this art, as we have seen, advanced
by slow steps, and was indicated from time to
time by the isolated facts we have briefly al-
luded to.
The researches of M. Niepce were commenced
in 1814, but it was not till 1826 that he was
made aware by the indiscretion of an optician
employed by both, that M. Daguerre was pursu-
ing the same course of experiments. A corre-
spondence between the two philosophers was the
result, and henceforth their researches were pur-
sued in common, and, some years later, resulted
in the discovery of this branch of the art, since
known as the Daguerreotype.
In 1833 M. Niepce died, having communicated
all his discoveries to M. Daguerre, and in 1839