Historic Gathering of Four Visionaries, 1916

In 1916, a captivating photograph captured by a Bain News Service photographer showcases four prominent individuals: W.D. Mahon, Louis Fridiger, P.J. OBrien, and W.B. Fitzgerald. This image, created using an early photographic method involving glass negatives, highlights a pivotal time in photography and American history. Glass plates were a common medium in early 20th-century photography, allowing for high-resolution images that conveyed a great deal of detail.

The subjects in this photograph likely played significant roles in their respective fields during a transformative period in the United States. The early 1900s were marked by rapid industrialization, social movements, and significant political changes. Capturing the likenesses of individuals like Mahon, Fridiger, OBrien, and Fitzgerald not only preserves their identities but also reflects the eras rich tapestry of social dynamics. This photograph serves as a window into the past, highlighting a moment in time when photography was evolving and shaping how history was documented.