Circa 1851 - The Evil Effects of Photography

[StillStanding]

Almost 100 years before broadcast television, there was the invention of the photographic camera. The ultra-con religious folks reacted almost identically as they do today concerning the evils of TV.

Writing from the Old Vicarage, Shinfield, a Reverend gentleman
complained to a newspaper in 1851:

Sir, - I beg to bring to your notice the serious harm likely to come from the increasing popularity of photography. Since Mr. Talbot and M. Daguerre perfected their processes for fixing a living image on paper a few years ago, there has been an alarming increase in the popularity of this unnatural pastime. The stage has now been reached when permanent damage is likely to be inflicted not only on painting, engraving, and the arts in general, but upon industry, manners, and the home itself.

Already, I am informed, the fascinations of the photograph album have had their effect on the thousands of children who would be better employed in pit or mill; already the reputations of Landseer, Turner, and even Martin and Westall are believed to be suffering; and I can myself vouch unhappily from my own family circle that idleness and vanity are encouraged by the constant posing for portraits, and the subsequent poring over them in unhealthy crouching attitudes. This day, alas, I have been obliged to call five of my daughters before me for reproof... (3)


Of course, over a period of time the resistance to this new technology by religious people faded. By 1945, it was a non-issue at the UPC merger.

I believe TV will also be a non-issue by 2045!