Medical research in a sound proof room, 1969, Roy Spencer © Daily Herald / National Media Museum, Bradford / SSPL
A photograph of a student, Nina Morrison, sitting in a sound proof room. She is wearing goggles which can vary the intensity of light and listening to a bleep machine. She is helping with research to test a theory that sight and sound sensory systems leak information to each other.
William Morris, c. 1890, Frederick Hollyer, The Royal Photographic Society Collection © National Media Museum, Bradford / SSPL. Creative Commons BY-NC-SA
“Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
So said William Morris, born on this day in 1834.
Beverley Sisters Demonstrate Hand Jive, 21 January 1958, Terry Fincher © Daily Herald / National Media Museum, Bradford / SSPL
The Beverley Sisters had lights clamped to their hands to provide these unique see-how-it’s-done pictures of the craze that has swept the country.
Every hand jive movement has a name. This one is ‘The Girl’. Two hands trace an hour glass shape and flare out at the end of the movement for the final off beat.
HJ Hopper on a hairpin bend, Bluehills Mine, MCC Land’s End Motor Trial, 1932, Topical Press Agency Ltd © National Media Museum, Bradford / SSPL. Creative Commons BY-NC-SA
Henry Morton Stanley, c. 1871 © National Media Museum, Bradford / SSPL. Creative Commons BY-NC-SA
On this day in 1871, journalist Henry Morton Stanley began his trek to find explorer David Livingstone.
It was Mr Stanley who reportedly uttered the words “Doctor Livingstone, I presume?” upon discovering the explorer in Africa.
But like many legends, there may be little truth in this claim. Stanley tore out of his diary the pages which related the encounter, and there is no mention of this phrase in Livingstone’s account.
Stanley’s biographer suggests he may have invented it after the event out of insecurity about his background. This would have been the proper way to greet Livingstone at the time since the two had not been formally introduced.
Professor Einstein with Commander Locker-Lampson, 24 July 1933, Leslie Cardew © Daily Herald / National Media Museum, Bradford / SSPL
On this day in 1916, Albert Einstein published his general theory of relativity.
Here he is sitting outside a small wooden cottage somewhere between Esher and Cobham in England. He was the guest of Commander Oliver Locker-Lampson MP, who sits on the ground next to the professor carrying a shotgun.
Tyne Bridge, c. 1935 © National Media Museum, Bradford / SSPL. Creative Commons BY-NC-SA
Sydney Harbour Bridge was opened on this day in 1932. But did you know that it was inspired by this bridge which links Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead?
Both were designed and built by Dorman and Long Co Ltd, of Middlesborough.
Striking miners emerge from pit to daylight with eye protection, 24 October 1935, The Topical Press Agency Ltd © National Media Museum, Bradford / SSPL. Creative Commons BY-NC-SA
Irish and writer and poet Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde, 1891, W & D Downey © National Media Museum, Bradford / SSPL. Creative Commons BY-NC-SA
Woman holding a Lucky Strike cigarette, 1939, John Hinde © National Media Museum, Bradford / SSPL. Creative Commons BY-NC-SA
John Hinde is the Science and Society Picture Library’s photographer of the month. See more of his work - in colour and black and white - on the SSPL website.
mediaspacelondon
This photograph of a spring scene is not quite what it seems
Ruth Kitchin, associate curator
It’s traditional at this time of year for newspapers to mark the warming of the weather with photographs of people enjoying the sunshine, spring flowers in bloom and perhaps even gambolling lambs.
This photograph of an orchard in Sittingbourne, Kent, taken for the Daily Herald newspaper on 6 May 1931, is a perfect spring scene with all the vital elements.
If the lambs look a little odd, that’s because they weren’t really there.
The newspaper’s staff have overcome the reluctance of the field’s lambs to position themselves photogenically, by cutting out lambs from another photograph and sticking them on in the desired spot.
But that’s not the only example of early 19th century image manipulation exhibited in this photograph.
Read more on the National Media Museum blog
Image: Spring scene with blossom & lambs, Sittingbourne, Kent, 6 May 1931, Daily Herald © National Media Museum, Bradford / SSPL. Creative Commons BY-NC-SA