The Edison kinetoscope gives the entire record of a sneeze from the first taking of a pinch of snuff to the recovery. As seen in this wonderful mechanical device of Mr. Edison's invention, when he exhibits the series of photographs the figure actually sneezes, and the phonograph as an accompanist sounds the precise “as-shew.” The illusion is so perfect that you involuntarily say, «Bless you!”
Looking at the eighty-one prints taken in about two seconds—or, to be exactly correct, forty pictures to the second—the gradual changes are seen.
For purposes of study the numerals from 1 to 9 have been put on the top of the print, and the letters from A to I on the side. Any point particularly mentioned in the eighty-one may be found at the intersection of the numeral and letter lines. In this way the marked differences of the sneeze are observable. I might designate A 1 as the priming; C 2, the nascent sensation; G 2, the first distortion; G 3, expectancy, E 4, premeditation; I 5, preparation; C 6, beatitude; A 8, oblivion; A 9, explosion; I 9, recovery. This curious gamut of grimace and sound the kinetoscope has exactly scored.
We know that in the workings of nature our eyes and your ears only take heed of what are the salient impressions, because the minutiae escape us. As there is the partially unseen, so there is undoubtedly the partially unheard. I am not going to argue as to the advantages of mechanical devices in an art sense, but in a scientific way their benefits we barely appreciate to day.
Take this kinetoscopic record of a sneeze, a topic inclined to excite a smile, and let us try and rise higher.[…].
BARNET PHILLIPS, “The Record of a Sneeze”, Harper’s Weekly, 24 mars 1894, p. 280
