August Semmendinger facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
August Semmendinger
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August Semmendinger, c.1865
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| Born | April 9, 1820 |
| Died | August 6, 1885 (aged 65) Fort Lee, New Jersey
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| Nationality | German |
| Citizenship | American |
| Occupation | Photographic inventor |
August Semmendinger (born April 9, 1820 – died August 6, 1885) was a clever inventor. He made special equipment for photography. He is best known for inventing the Excelsior Wet Plate Camera.
August Semmendinger first built his cameras in New York City. Later, he moved his factory to Fort Lee, New Jersey.
Early Life and New Beginnings
August Semmendinger was born on April 9, 1820. He came to the United States from Bad Urach, Germany. He arrived on July 6, 1849, aboard a ship called Columbia. His wife, Magdalene, and their one-year-old daughter, Alwine, traveled with him.
When they first arrived, August lived in Lower Manhattan, New York. He worked as a cabinetmaker, building furniture. By 1855, he was listed as a box maker. Soon after, August started making cameras.
A Career in Camera Innovation
Semmendinger began making cameras in 1859. He even claimed to be the first person to manufacture "photographic apparatus" in the U.S. At this time, he made his cameras in New York City.
August Semmendinger was also a talented camera designer. He earned several patents for his inventions. His first patent, No. 27,241, was given on February 21, 1860. It was for a "Photographic Apparatus" that could take many pictures on the same wet plate. He received a second patent on August 7, 1860, for another "Camera."
In the early 1870s, Semmendinger moved his family and business. They settled in Fort Lee, New Jersey, just across the Hudson River. Here, he earned his third U.S. Patent, No. 145,020. This patent was for "Photographic Plate-Holders," which he called his "Celebrated Silver Double Corners." His fourth patent, for "Camera-Stands," was issued on March 31, 1874.
In the summer of 1874, Semmendinger showed his "photograph camera box" at an exhibition. He won a bronze medal for his "Elevated Camera Stand with double Swing Back Camera Box." He also displayed his inventions at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. By 1882, his factory in Fort Lee was a major employer in the area.
Semmendinger also created a huge "Mammoth plate" wet-collodion camera. This camera was very heavy, but photographers used it to capture amazing landscape photos. People thought his idea of adding a cupboard under the lens was very clever.
Family Life
August Semmendinger married Magdalene Kinney. They had eight children together. Their names were Theodore, Alvina, Roland, Guido, Clara, Aloise, August, and Pythagoras.
Later Years
August Semmendinger passed away in Fort Lee, New Jersey, on August 6, 1885. After his death, his sons continued the photography business.
