The Caught Our Eyes sharing wall. Photo by P&P staff, 2018 Feb.
Digital Library Specialist Pete Richey spotted this intriguing
photograph from the Farm Security Administration/Office of War
Information Collection and added it to our “Caught Our Eyes” wall, where
staff share pictorial “finds” from Prints & Photographs Division
collections.
“When I first saw this photograph it piqued my interest. At first
glance this photograph could either be a still from a sci-fi film or a
fashion ad. Upon further research it turned out to be neither,” he
noted.
The
latest in eye shields–for desert warfare. A shortage of non-inflammable
celluloid has prompted the Union of South Africa government to utilize
old photographic negatives to make eye shields needed for use in desert
warfare. The original images in the shield can be seen by turning the
picture upside down. The emulsion is washed off the negatives to make
the shields transparent. More than a million such shields have been
produced to protect United Nations soldier’s eyes from wind, sand and
dust. Margaret Bucci of Washington, D.C., demonstrated the shield. Photo by Office of War Information, 1943 March.
The lengthy caption clued us both in to just what hidden depths the picture contains.
First, the eye shields represent an interesting case of adaptive
reuse during a celluloid-strapped period during World War II. As a
substitute for new celluloid, the Union of South Africa government
started using old photographic negatives to make eye shields needed to
protect soldiers engaged in desert warfare.
The caption also tipped us off to the fact that what may look like
elegant swirls in the dark glasses is actually the lingering image in
the negative from which they were created.
Guided by the instructions,
we captured just the portion of the picture that shows those seemingly
psychedelic glasses.
Focusing on the eye wear…
Then we flipped it, just beginning to see an image emerge…
Detail of The latest in eye shields….
Then we changed the polarity, so that light areas appear dark and
dark areas appear light.
Voila! A group photograph of smartly dressed
soldiers appears.
Detail of The latest in eye shields… with polarity reversed.
Pete remarked that the photo signaled an “ingenious way of using
available resources during WWII, not to mention making for an unusual
and captivating photo!”
We’re so glad Pete’s eye for a good picture led us to this photo, with its many layers of visual significance.
Learn More
- Several World War II propaganda and information agencies (and their
picture files) were consolidated in the Office of War Information. Read more about the succession of agencies involved in producing the photographs found in the Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Collection.
- View FSA/OWI photos showing various types of protective eye wear in use during World War II, including goggles and gear worn for welding.
- Sample other images relating to desert warfare during World War II.
- Glance back through the variety of pictures highlighted in our “Caught Our Eyes” posts.
