Date of use : 1891 USA

John Carbutt and the Invention of Dry Gelatin Plates

John Carbutt (1832-1905) was a prominent photographer and manufacturer of photographic materials who operated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in England in 1832, Carbutt immigrated to the United States in 1853 and began his photography career in Philadelphia. In 1866, he established his own photography studio and later ventured into the production of photographic materials. Under the name Keystone Dry Plate Works, Carbutt founded a company that produced dry gelatin photographic plates. These plates represented a significant innovation in photography towards the end of the 19th century, being more convenient and portable compared to wet collodion plates.

Carbutt's firm not only manufactured dry plates but also produced various other photographic materials and equipment, including different types of films, exposure meters, and other photography accessories. Carbutt was a pioneer in the development of dry plates and initiated their commercial production starting in 1879, producing the world's first commercial dry gelatin plates. Additionally, in the late 1890s, he developed specialized plates for X-ray film production, which constituted a major advancement in the field of medicine. Carbutt's plates played a crucial role in the widespread adoption of X-ray technology.

Throughout his career, Carbutt shared his knowledge and experiences in photography by writing various articles and books. These publications contained valuable information on photography techniques and materials. In summary, John Carbutt and his company played a significant role in the advancement of photography technology. His innovations in dry gelatin plates and X-ray film production contributed to major advancements in both photography and medical fields. Carbutt's contributions helped make photography more accessible and practical, accelerating developments in the field.

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