Richard Leach Maddox

English physician

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June 30, 2026

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Richard Leach Maddox was an English physician who made a significant contribution to the field of photography. In 1871, he developed the dry plate, a glass plate coated with a gelatin emulsion of silver bromide. This innovation was a major advancement over the previous wet collodion process, as dry plates could be stored before exposure and developed later, eliminating the need for a portable darkroom.12

The introduction of factory-produced dry plates in 1878 marked the beginning of modern photography. These plates were much more sensitive than earlier versions, allowing for the use of smaller, handheld cameras and instantaneous snapshots. Maddox's invention paved the way for further developments, including the roll film and the Kodak camera, which greatly expanded amateur photography.2

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history of photography
Development of the dry plate
In 1871 Richard Leach Maddox, an English physician, suggested suspending silver bromide in a gelatin emulsion, an idea that led, in 1878, to the introduction of factory-produced dry plates coated with gelatin containing silver salts. This event marked the beginning of the modern era of photography.
Read More
In 1871 Richard Leach Maddox, an English physician, suggested suspending silver bromide in a gelatin emulsion, an idea that led, in 1878, to the introduction of factory-produced dry plates coated with gelatin containing silver salts. This event marked the beginning of the modern era of photography.
Read More