Anonymous (esp. 18th century)

CONSTRAINT : Take x for y (y = camera obscura).

INVENTION : Camerae obscurae made out of tables, writing desks, sedan chairs, carriages, microscopes, telescopes, books, goblets, walking sticks, pins, rings and other items of jewellery, spectacles, watches, attics, castle towers etc.. Punch, in 1856, gives an illustration of a darkroom dropping out of a sombrero.

WORKS : unrecorded “happenings” until fixed-image ϕ became the norm. From c. 1880, the constraint developed to y = detective camera, and x = gun, book, fob watch, handbag, walking stick, hat, cravat, waistcoat, binoculars etc.