Control of Light
Camera Obscura The camera obscura had been known since ancient times. It was first detailed in writing by artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci. Meaning literally "darkened room," it was originally a room completely sealed from light except for a very small hole in one wall. An image of the outside world--houses, trees, and even people--could be projected, upside down and reversed right-to-left, onto a wall or white screen placed opposite the opening. Later the camera obscura was reduced in size until it became a small portable box. It was equipped with a lens and a mirror at a 45-degree angle, which reflected the image upward and focused it on a viewing screen. This was a great aid to artists in making sketches on location, but there was not yet a way to capture directly and permanently the camera obscura's images.