So a decade later, when the state of New York decided to create a museum of photography in Eastman's memory, the university donated the mansion and grounds to house it. Today, it seems fitting that the estate of one of the earliest pioneers in photography has become famous as the George Eastman Museum. It holds several million objects related to photography and film. It leads the way in film preservation and conservation. It offers viewings of original historic films in its specially equipped Dryden Theater. COBBLESTONE spoke to the folks at the museum to understand what goes into their preservation work.
What makes classic films so fragile?
Basically, the materials that they were made on: Nitrocellulose-based material decomposed from the time it was made because it interacted with moisture in the air. Nitrocellulose also has a habit of catching fire when exposed to flames, or it can spontaneously combust.
Sounds dangerous! Is that why filmmakers switched to a different type of film by 1949?
They came out with what they called safety material on an acetate base.
Did that decompose, too?
It didn't turn into powder like nitrate film can, but it shrank and got what is commonly called vinegar syndrome.
What about today's films?
Today, we use more of a plastic, called polyester. Polyester is a long-chained synthetic molecule. Polyester is used for different things, such as fabric fibers, bottles, filters... and films.
How does the George Eastman Museum store films?
Denne historien er fra July/August 2023-utgaven av Cobblestone American History Magazine for Kids.
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Denne historien er fra July/August 2023-utgaven av Cobblestone American History Magazine for Kids.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Putting the Pieces Together
Americans needed to begin to put the past behind them, come together, and plan for the future in the spring of 1865. But Abraham Lincoln, the man best equipped to lead them and who had hoped to restore the country as smoothly and peacefully as possible, had been assassinated.
LAST SHOTS
The last Confederate forces in the Civil War didn’t surrender in the spring of 1865 or on a battlefield.
AND IN OTHER 1865 NEWS
A group of African Americans stop at the White House’s annual public reception on January 1, where they shake hands with President Abraham Lincoln.
A Plot to Kill President the
For several months, actor John Wilkes Booth’s band of conspirators had plotted to capture President Abraham Lincoln and hold him hostage in exchange for Confederate prisoners.
Let the Thing Be Pressed
In June 1864, Union Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant began a nearly 10-month campaign in Virginia.
HEALING THE NATION
President Abraham Lincoln took the oath of office for the second time on March 4, 1865.
A Helping Hand
The spring season is hard in any agricultural society. Plants and animals are too small to eat.
WAR SHERMAN-STYLE
As far as Union Major General William T. Sherman was concerned, the Civil War had gone on long enough.
PEACE TALKS
The fall of Fort Fisher made clear that the Confederacy’s days were numbered. Southerners were tired and hungry.
FORT FISHER'S FALL
Outnumbered Confederate soldiers inside Fort Fisher were unable to withstand the approach of Union troops by land and the constant Union naval bombardment from the sea.
