In the 1840’s, photographers began experimenting with stereo photography, a technique that involves taking two images of the same scene from slightly different angles. When viewed through special glasses, the brain processes this information as depth and dimension.
The Bentley Historical Library has an array of photographs from Michigan and the Great Lakes region. These original stereographic cards have been transformed to allow viewers to experience the images in three dimensions as originally intended. All you need is an inexpensive pair of red/blue glasses. You can request a free pair from the Civil War Trust.
