Oscillon 40
Photograph
1952 (made)
1952 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This photograph was created by artist Ben Laposky in 1952. Laposky used an oscilloscope to manipulate electronic waves that were then displayed on a fluorescent screen. The waves would have been constantly moving and undulating on the screen, but there was no way of recording these movements on paper at this time. By photographing them, the artist was able to capture these images and record them for history.
Laposky photographed different combinations of these waves and called his images 'Oscillons'. The earliest photographs, such as this one, were black and white, but in later years the artist used a filter in order to produce striking colour images.
Oscilloscopes are used in many different disciplines, including medicine, engineering and telecommunications. Laposky used an analogue oscilloscope, in which the electrical signal is recorded as a wave.
Laposky photographed different combinations of these waves and called his images 'Oscillons'. The earliest photographs, such as this one, were black and white, but in later years the artist used a filter in order to produce striking colour images.
Oscilloscopes are used in many different disciplines, including medicine, engineering and telecommunications. Laposky used an analogue oscilloscope, in which the electrical signal is recorded as a wave.
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Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Oscillon 40 (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | C-type photographic print |
| Brief description | Ben Laposky, 'Oscillon 40', C-type photographic print, 1952. |
| Physical description | Black and white C-type photographic print of electronic waves displayed on an oscilloscope. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | Ben Laposky 1914-2000
Oscillon 40
1952
Laposky is regarded as one of the forefathers of computer-generated art.
He used long exposure photography to capture the electrical signals that were displayed on the fluorescent screen of an oscilloscope. Laposky invented the term 'oscillon' for the electronic abstractions he created. [42]
C-type photographic print
Given by the American Friends of the V&A through the generosity of Patric Prince
Museum no. E.958-2008(07/12/2009 - 20/06/2010) |
| Credit line | Given by the American Friends of the V&A through the generosity of Patric Prince |
| Summary | This photograph was created by artist Ben Laposky in 1952. Laposky used an oscilloscope to manipulate electronic waves that were then displayed on a fluorescent screen. The waves would have been constantly moving and undulating on the screen, but there was no way of recording these movements on paper at this time. By photographing them, the artist was able to capture these images and record them for history. Laposky photographed different combinations of these waves and called his images 'Oscillons'. The earliest photographs, such as this one, were black and white, but in later years the artist used a filter in order to produce striking colour images. Oscilloscopes are used in many different disciplines, including medicine, engineering and telecommunications. Laposky used an analogue oscilloscope, in which the electrical signal is recorded as a wave. |
| Bibliographic reference | Laposky, Ben F., Electronic Abstractions, Cherokee, Iowa, 1953 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.958-2008 |
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| Record created | February 12, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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