ROMANCE OF THE FILM PHOTOGRAPH.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12284, 10 July 1914, Page 2

ROMANCE OF THE FILM PHOTOGRAPH.

INVENTION OF A PASTOR BRINGS IN MILLIONS.

A romantic story of the invention of the film photograph, now so familiar ! to us all, has been revived, by the recent judgment of the United States Supreme Court, that- the Goodwin patent, obtained in 1898, is the basis of film photography. This means that a- sum' of money varying from a, million to five millions sterling, is due to the late Rev. Hannibal Goodwin's heirs. The chief participant is his widow, who is 81 years of age. Mr Goodwin was pastor of the Episcopal Church in Newark, New Jersey, He had no children of his own, but he was very fond of little ones, and was a big general Santa Clans to them all. In the early 'eighties he had perfected his invention of photographic htas, and had in mind a. picture machine for amusing and instructing tire children in hi* Sunday school. In 188S he resigned his pastorate in order to devote himself entirely to obtaining his patents and developing a business. He, first made the films in an attic of the old House of Prayer rectory. He had never studied chemistry, nut he devoted himself so closely to the work that sometimes he went directly from the pulpit to his laboratory in hisi vestments, and got them stained. After a long fight he obtained! his patent in 1898, and was about to put the film on the market when he met with an accident, from which he died in 1900.

His widow formed a company, and ever since she lias been carrying on a brave struggle with the powerful interests opposed to her. Success has come too late to benefit Mrs Goodwin, who is in failing health, but she cherishes the victory because it vindicates it-he value of her husband's work.