American Hand Book of the Daguerreotype Trivia Quiz Questions and Answers

What year was Bromine discovered?

1774
1812
1826
1839

Correct Answer: 1826

Correct Answer Explanation: Bromine was discovered in 1826 by M. Balard in the residue of sea-water evaporation. It was later used as an accelerating agent in the Daguerreotype process.

What chemical was used to dissolve the sensitive silver salt on the Daguerreotype plate?

Nitric Acid
Hyposulphite of Soda
Aqua Regia
Hydrochloric Acid

Correct Answer: Hyposulphite of Soda

Correct Answer Explanation: Hyposulphite of Soda is a key chemical used to dissolve the sensitive silver salt on the Daguerreotype plate. This process is crucial for removing the unexposed silver salts and fixing the image.

How many parts of water are needed to dissolve one part of iodine?

100
500
1000
7000

Correct Answer: 7000

Correct Answer Explanation: Iodine is not very soluble in water, requiring a large amount of water to dissolve a small amount of iodine. This fact highlights the careful handling needed when working with iodine in Daguerreotype.

How much did a pound of pure silver-plated metal cost in 1840?

Correct Answer: $9

Correct Answer Explanation: In 1840, the cost of silver plating was significantly higher than in later years. This reflects the value of silver and the demand for Daguerreotype plates at the time.

What was Wolcott and Johnson’s first successful Daguerreotype image?

A portrait of a famous artist
A landscape scene
A tiny profile
A still life

Correct Answer: A tiny profile

Correct Answer Explanation: Wolcott and Johnson’s first successful Daguerreotype, produced on October 6, 1839, was a miniature profile captured on a plate smaller than three-eighths of an inch square. This highlights the early stages of Daguerreotype portraiture.

What was the purpose of using blue glass screens during Daguerreotype portraiture?

To enhance the contrast of the image
To protect the sitter from the intense light
To filter out specific colors of light
To create a more artistic effect

Correct Answer: To protect the sitter from the intense light

Correct Answer Explanation: The strong light required for Daguerreotype exposure could be harsh on sitters, leading to discomfort and squinting. Wolcott and Johnson experimented with blue glass screens to reduce the intensity of the light.

What is the purpose of gilding in the Daguerreotype process?

To add a decorative element to the image
To enhance the image’s depth and brilliance
To prevent the image from fading
To create a more realistic effect

Correct Answer: To enhance the image’s depth and brilliance

Correct Answer Explanation: Gilding, or coating the Daguerreotype plate with a thin layer of gold, is a crucial step in the Daguerreotype process. It helps to fix the image permanently, making it more resistant to fading and enhancing its depth and brilliance.

Which of these chemicals was NOT used in the Daguerreotype process?

Iodine
Bromine
Mercury
Potassium
Chlorine

Correct Answer: Potassium

Correct Answer Explanation: While potassium is a common element, it was not directly used in the main chemical processes of the Daguerreotype process, unlike iodine, bromine, mercury, and chlorine.

What does the term “solarization” refer to in Daguerreotype?

The process of using sunlight to expose the plate
A phenomenon where overexposure to light results in a reversed image
A technique for enhancing the contrast of the image
A type of lens used in Daguerreotype cameras

Correct Answer: A phenomenon where overexposure to light results in a reversed image

Correct Answer Explanation: Solarization occurs when a Daguerreotype plate is exposed to excessive light, resulting in a reversed image where dark areas appear light and vice versa. This effect was sometimes intentionally used for artistic purposes.

What was Wolcott and Johnson’s solution to the issue of long sitting times in Daguerreotype?

Using a larger camera
Developing a new type of lens
Creating a new chemical mixture
Using a different type of light source

Correct Answer: Creating a new chemical mixture

Correct Answer Explanation: Wolcott and Johnson developed a new chemical mixture, known as Wolcott’s Mixture, which significantly reduced the exposure time needed for Daguerreotype images. This allowed for shorter sittings and made the process more accessible.

What was the approximate exposure time for a Daguerreotype in moderate light in 1845?

1-2 seconds
5-10 seconds
15-20 seconds
30-60 seconds

Correct Answer: 5-10 seconds

Correct Answer Explanation: In 1845, using ammonia vapor, Hewett reported exposure times of 5-10 seconds in moderate light. This shows how much the process was evolving and getting faster.

What was the approximate cost of a year’s subscription to “Humphrey’s Journal” in 1858?

Correct Answer: $2

Correct Answer Explanation: In 1858, a single subscription to “Humphrey’s Journal,” a publication for Daguerreotypists, cost $2 per year. This demonstrates how affordable access to information and techniques was becoming for those interested in this art form.

What was the purpose of a Plane Reflector in Daguerreotype portraiture?

To illuminate the subject with sunlight
To create a blurred background
To focus the image on the plate
To reduce the exposure time

Correct Answer: To illuminate the subject with sunlight

Correct Answer Explanation: A Plane Reflector, a flat mirror, was used in Daguerreotype portraiture to direct sunlight onto the subject. This ensured enough light to capture the image on the Daguerreotype plate.

How did the use of acid in the copper solution affect the sitting time?

It made the sitting time much longer
It had no effect on the sitting time
It made the sitting time slightly shorter
It made the sitting time significantly shorter

Correct Answer: It made the sitting time significantly shorter

Correct Answer Explanation: Adding acid to the ammonia sulphate of copper solution, as suggested by Professor Mapes, significantly shortened the exposure time needed for Daguerreotypes. This was a major advancement in the process.

What was the approximate time it took to develop an image using mercury vapor?

1-2 minutes
6-8 minutes
10-15 minutes
20-30 minutes

Correct Answer: 6-8 minutes

Correct Answer Explanation: Humphrey recommended heating the mercury to a point where it took 6-8 minutes to develop the image on the Daguerreotype plate. This demonstrates the meticulous process and the attention to detail needed in using mercury in Daguerreotype.

What was the primary advantage of using a galvanized plate in Daguerreotype?

It produced more detailed images
It was more resistant to scratches
It was more sensitive to light
It was less expensive to produce

Correct Answer: It was more sensitive to light

Correct Answer Explanation: A galvanized plate, coated with a thin layer of another metal like silver, was more sensitive to light than a standard plate. This made it possible to capture images with shorter exposure times.

What was the approximate cost of “A Guide to Photography” in 1858?

25 cents
50 cents
$1
$2

Correct Answer: 25 cents

Correct Answer Explanation: In 1858, a single copy of “A Guide to Photography” cost 25 cents. This indicates that basic guides and instructions were becoming increasingly accessible to those interested in learning about photography.

What is the definition of an “accelerator” in the context of the Daguerreotype process?

A chemical that speeds up the reaction of light on the plate
A tool used to focus the image on the plate
A type of lens that increases the sensitivity of the plate
A device used to measure the intensity of light

Correct Answer: A chemical that speeds up the reaction of light on the plate

Correct Answer Explanation: An accelerator is a chemical used in the Daguerreotype process to speed up the reaction of light on the plate. This allows for shorter exposure times and makes the process more efficient.

What was the name of the chemical mixture that Wolcott and Johnson developed in 1842?

Wolcott’s American Mixture
The Universal Accelerator
The Bromine Solution
The Silver Salt Fixative

Correct Answer: Wolcott’s American Mixture

Correct Answer Explanation: Wolcott’s American Mixture was a well-known accelerator used in early Daguerreotype. It contained nitric and muriatic acids, and was known for its high sensitivity to light and ability to produce high-quality images.

What was the process of using electricity to deposit a layer of metal onto a surface called?

Gilding
Electrotyping
Sensitizing
Developing

Correct Answer: Electrotyping

Correct Answer Explanation: Electrotyping was a process used to create a copper copy of a Daguerreotype. It involved using electricity to deposit a layer of metal onto the surface of the original plate, creating a durable replica.

What was the name of the chemical used to dissolve gold and platinum in Daguerreotype?

Nitric Acid
Hydrofluoric Acid
Aqua Regia
Sulphuric Acid

Correct Answer: Aqua Regia

Correct Answer Explanation: Aqua Regia is a highly corrosive mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids used to dissolve noble metals like gold and platinum. This mixture played a role in preparing gilding solutions and in specific Daguerreotype techniques.

What was the purpose of using a “Lime Water Quick” mixture in Daguerreotype?

To clean the plates before exposure
To develop the image on the plate
To fix the image after exposure
To accelerate the exposure process

Correct Answer: To accelerate the exposure process

Correct Answer Explanation: Lime Water Quick, a mixture containing lime, was often used as a liquid accelerator in the Daguerreotype process. It helped to speed up the reaction of light on the plate, reducing the exposure time required.

What did the term “Coating” refer to in the context of the Daguerreotype process?

Polishing the plate before exposure
Covering the plate with a light-sensitive surface
Developing the image after exposure
Gilding the plate to enhance the image

Correct Answer: Covering the plate with a light-sensitive surface

Correct Answer Explanation: Coating in the Daguerreotype process referred to the application of iodine and bromine vapor to the plate. This created a light-sensitive surface, allowing the image to be captured.

What was the approximate density of bromine?

1.0
2.47
3.0
5.0

Correct Answer: 3.0

Correct Answer Explanation: Bromine is one of the heaviest liquids known, with a specific gravity of 3. This is relevant to the Daguerreotype process, as it affects the vaporization and handling of the chemical.

What did the term “Iodine Box” refer to in the context of the Daguerreotype process?

A container used to store developed plates
A tool used to clean the plates
An airtight container holding iodine crystals
A device used to measure the amount of light

Correct Answer: An airtight container holding iodine crystals

Correct Answer Explanation: An Iodine Box was a crucial part of the Daguerreotype process. It was an airtight container used to store iodine crystals, which were then used to coat the Daguerreotype plate and create a light-sensitive surface.

What was the purpose of a “Mercury Bath” in the Daguerreotype process?

To clean the plates after exposure
To fix the image on the plate
To develop the image after exposure
To enhance the contrast of the image

Correct Answer: To develop the image after exposure

Correct Answer Explanation: The Mercury Bath, a container holding heated mercury, was essential for developing the Daguerreotype image. The mercury vapors reacted with the exposed silver halide on the plate, forming a visible image.

What was the name of the chemical mixture that contained one part bromine, eight parts nitric acid, and sixteen parts muriatic acid?

Wolcott’s American Mixture
Wolcott’s Mixture
The Standard Accelerator
The Bromine-Nitric Acid Solution

Correct Answer: Wolcott’s Mixture

Correct Answer Explanation: Wolcott’s Mixture, developed in 1842, was a powerful accelerator that allowed for shorter exposure times and better image quality in the Daguerreotype process. It was named after its creator, the American Daguerreotypist John Wolcott.

What was the approximate time for a sitting using Wolcott’s Reflecting Apparatus in 1840?

1-2 minutes
6-8 minutes
10-15 minutes
6-10 minutes

Correct Answer: 6-10 minutes

Correct Answer Explanation: In 1840, using Wolcott’s Reflecting Apparatus, sittings for Daguerreotype portraits could take anywhere from 6 to 10 minutes. This shows how much progress was made in reducing exposure times as the technology developed.

What was the approximate time for a sitting using Wolcott’s Mixture in 1842?

30 seconds
1 minute
2 minutes
5 minutes

Correct Answer: 1 minute

Correct Answer Explanation: The development of Wolcott’s Mixture in 1842 dramatically shortened exposure times, reducing them from 6-10 minutes to a mere 1 minute. This made the process more efficient and less taxing on sitters.

What was the approximate time for a sitting using a combination of chemicals mentioned in an 1851 article?

3-10 seconds
15-30 seconds
1-2 minutes
5-10 minutes

Correct Answer: 3-10 seconds

Correct Answer Explanation: An article in 1851 described a combination of chemicals that could reduce Daguerreotype exposure times to 3-10 seconds. This demonstrates the continual development and refinement of the Daguerreotype process.

What was the approximate amount of gold contained in each grain of gold deposit in a gilding solution?

1/10 its weight
2/10 its weight
5/10 its weight
7/10 its weight

Correct Answer: 7/10 its weight

Correct Answer Explanation: Each grain of gold deposit in a gilding solution used in the Daguerreotype process contained approximately 7/10 of its weight in gold. This is a testament to the careful use of precious metals in the process.

What was the approximate amount of distilled water that a portable still could produce per hour?

One gallon
Half a gallon
One quart
One pint

Correct Answer: Half a gallon

Correct Answer Explanation: A portable still could produce about half a gallon of distilled water per hour. This was important for the Daguerreotype process as it required high-quality, pure water for many of its solutions and procedures.

What was the purpose of using Hyposulphite of Soda in the Daguerreotype process?

To dissolve the sensitive silver salt after exposure
To enhance the contrast of the image
To fix the image on the plate
To protect the plate from scratches

Correct Answer: To dissolve the sensitive silver salt after exposure

Correct Answer Explanation: Hyposulphite of Soda is a chemical used to dissolve the sensitive silver salt on the Daguerreotype plate after exposure. This step is crucial for removing unexposed salts and permanently fixing the image.

What was the purpose of using Hyposulphite of Gold in the Daguerreotype process?

To dissolve the sensitive silver salt after exposure
To enhance the contrast of the image
To fix the image on the plate
To create a less aggressive gilding solution

Correct Answer: To create a less aggressive gilding solution

Correct Answer Explanation: Hyposulphite of Gold is used as a less aggressive gilding solution compared to chloride of gold. This is relevant to the Daguerreotype process, as it allows for a more controlled and less damaging method of gilding the plate.

What was the purpose of using Nitric Acid in the Daguerreotype process?

To clean the plates before exposure
To dissolve silver and prepare chloride of gold
To develop the image after exposure
To protect the plates from scratches

Correct Answer: To dissolve silver and prepare chloride of gold

Correct Answer Explanation: Nitric Acid is a powerful oxidizing agent used in Daguerreotype for dissolving silver and preparing chloride of gold. This is significant because chloride of gold is used in the gilding process, which is crucial for fixing and enhancing the image.

What was the purpose of using Hydrochloric Acid in the Daguerreotype process?

To clean the plates before exposure
To dissolve silver and prepare chloride of gold
To dissolve gold and prepare chloride of bromine
To protect the plates from scratches

Correct Answer: To dissolve gold and prepare chloride of bromine

Correct Answer Explanation: Hydrochloric Acid is used in the Daguerreotype process to dissolve gold and prepare chloride of bromine. This is relevant to the preparation of accelerators, as chloride of bromine is often used to speed up the exposure process.

What was the purpose of using Hydrofluoric Acid in the Daguerreotype process?

To clean the plates before exposure
To dissolve silver and prepare chloride of gold
To dissolve gold and prepare chloride of bromine
To accelerate the exposure process due to its fluorine content

Correct Answer: To accelerate the exposure process due to its fluorine content

Correct Answer Explanation: Hydrofluoric Acid is a highly corrosive acid used as an accelerator in the Daguerreotype process. Its fluorine content contributes to its accelerating properties, speeding up the reaction of light on the plate.

What was the purpose of using Sulphuric Acid in the Daguerreotype process?

To clean the plates before exposure
To dissolve silver and prepare chloride of gold
To dissolve gold and prepare chloride of bromine
To use in a galvanic battery and some accelerators

Correct Answer: To use in a galvanic battery and some accelerators

Correct Answer Explanation: Sulphuric Acid is used in the Daguerreotype process for both creating a galvanic battery and as a component in some accelerators. This demonstrates the versatility of this acid and its role in various aspects of the process.

What was the purpose of using Hydrate of Lime in the Daguerreotype process?

To clean the plates before exposure
To dissolve silver and prepare chloride of gold
To dissolve gold and prepare chloride of bromine
To use as a component in many dry accelerators

Correct Answer: To use as a component in many dry accelerators

Correct Answer Explanation: Hydrate of Lime, or slaked lime, is a crucial component in many dry accelerators used in the Daguerreotype process. These accelerators are used to speed up the exposure process, and the presence of lime contributes to their effectiveness.

Which of these statements about the use of Chloride of Iodine is TRUE?

Wolcott and Johnson were the first to use it as a single coating accelerator
It was used only for cleaning plates before exposure
It was only used in the developing process
It was considered ineffective in Daguerreotype

Correct Answer: Wolcott and Johnson were the first to use it as a single coating accelerator

Correct Answer Explanation: Wolcott and Johnson were pioneers in experimenting with various chemicals in the Daguerreotype process, and they were the first to use chloride of iodine as a single coating accelerator. This shows their commitment to innovation and finding new ways to improve the process.

What did the term “Bromine Water” refer to in the context of the Daguerreotype process?

A solution of bromine in water, used as an accelerator
A solution used to clean the plates before exposure
A solution used to fix the image after exposure
A solution used to enhance the contrast of the image

Correct Answer: A solution of bromine in water, used as an accelerator

Correct Answer Explanation: Bromine Water, a solution of bromine in water, is often used as an accelerator in the Daguerreotype process. Bromine’s accelerating properties help to speed up the reaction of light on the plate, making the process more efficient.

What was the main finding from the authors’ experiment using linseed and silver shots for polishing?

They found this method superior to buff leather and velvet
They found this method to be less effective than buff leather and velvet
They found this method to be too time-consuming
They found this method to damage the plates

Correct Answer: They found this method to be less effective than buff leather and velvet

Correct Answer Explanation: Wolcott and Johnson experimented with using linseed and silver shots in a revolving wheel for polishing Daguerreotype plates, but they ultimately found this method inferior to traditional methods like buff leather and velvet. This shows how meticulous they were in seeking the best techniques for preparing their plates.

Which of these is NOT a common problem encountered in Daguerreotype?

Blue pictures
Specks
Uneven coatings
Overexposed images
All of the above

Correct Answer: All of the above

Correct Answer Explanation: Each of these issues—blue pictures, specks, uneven coatings, and overexposed images—were common problems encountered by Daguerreotypists. The American Hand Book of the Daguerreotype addresses many of these issues, providing advice on how to diagnose and solve them.

What did the authors discover about overexposed Daguerreotypes?

They could not be saved
They could be saved by exposing them to diluted vapors of iodine, bromine, or chlorine
They could be saved by re-developing them
They could be saved by cleaning them with a special solution

Correct Answer: They could be saved by exposing them to diluted vapors of iodine, bromine, or chlorine

Correct Answer Explanation: The authors discovered that overexposed Daguerreotype plates could be salvaged by exposing them to diluted vapors of iodine, bromine, or chlorine. This demonstrates their ingenuity and their determination to find solutions to common problems faced by Daguerreotypists.

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