Local center commemorates photography innovators

MARQUETTE– Innovation is part of living in the Upper Peninsula and one local institution is showing off the history of two U.P. resident’s historical photography inventions and methods.

The Marquette Regional History Center will feature equipment, prototypes and original patents of John H Hammer and George Shiras III’s work in their upcoming display titled,“The Origins of Wildlife Photography.” This display was made possible by the John H. Hammer family who lent the Center Hammer’s photography equipment. Hammer and Shiras invented the equipment and methods for nighttime photography of wildlife in the early 1900s.

“When you think back just over one hundred years ago, that they were capturing these images and about the equipment that they had to develop themselves, you didn’t just go to the store and buy something,” said MRHC curator Jo Wittler.

While many know of the history of Shiras, this display will highlight his 45 year partnership with John H. Hammer, who invented flash attachments, a key component of nighttime photography. The display is scheduled to be up for five years.