The Economic Times

In 1873, a French astronomer invented a unique device 'photographic revolver' which could automatically capture a sequential series of photographs

In 1873, a French astronomer invented a unique device 'photographic revolver' which could automatically capture a sequential series of photographs. Pierre Jules Csar Janssen created the device to record the 1874 transit of Venus. It used a rotating cylinder, clockwork mechanism and circular photographic plate to take repeated exposures. The invention became part of chronophotography and was later regarded as a precursor to motion-picture cameras.