Negretti and Zambra facts for kids
Negretti and Zambra was a famous British company. It was active from 1850 until about 1985. They made amazing scientific tools and optical instruments, like telescopes. They also had a photographic studio in London.
Contents
The Story of Negretti and Zambra
Henry Negretti (1818–1879) and Joseph Zambra (1822–1897) started their company together in 1850. They became very well-known. They were even chosen as official instrument makers for important people like Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and King Edward VII. They also worked for the Royal Observatory and the British Navy. Henry Negretti was born in Italy. Joseph Zambra was born in England.
Official Photographers for Crystal Palace
When the amazing Crystal Palace building was rebuilt in Sydenham in 1854, Negretti and Zambra became its official photographers. This meant they could take pictures inside and outside the new building. They used this chance to create many stereographs. These were special photos that looked 3D when viewed through a stereoscope.
Exploring the World Through Photography
In 1856, Negretti and Zambra helped fund a photography trip. Photographer Francis Frith traveled to Egypt, Nubia, and Ethiopia. Between 1857 and 1860, the company published over 500 stereographs from Frith's journey.
Negretti and Zambra even took photos of Shakespeare's House in Stratford-upon-Avon. They printed these photos on cards and gave them to visitors at the Crystal Palace. This allowed people to compare the real house with a model of it.
Between 1855 and 1857, Negretti and Zambra asked photographer Pierre Rossier to go to China. He was meant to photograph the Second Opium War. Even though he couldn't join the army, he took many stereographs and other photos. He photographed China, Japan, the Philippines, and Siam (which is now Thailand). These were the first commercial photos ever published of these countries.
First Photos from the Sky
In May 1863, Henry Negretti did something amazing. He took the first ever aerial photographs of London! He took these pictures from a hot air balloon. The balloon was flown by Henry Coxwell.
In 1865, the company also published a book. It was called A Treatise on Meteorological Instruments. This book was about tools used to study the weather. It was so important that it was reprinted in 1995.
The Company's Future
In 1985, another company bought Negretti and Zambra. This company was called Meggitt, and they make parts for airplanes.
Gallery
Here are more photos of a Negretti Zambra Military Telescope:
-
Negretti Zambra telescope
-
Negretti Zambra telescope. Detail showing eyepiece.
-
Leather case containing Negretti Zambra telescope
See also
- Pierre Rossier, a photographer who worked for Negretti and Zambra
- Aylesbury F.C., a football team that started as the company's team
- Zambretti Forecaster, a device that helps predict the weather
