The things we put our kids through

No, this post is not actually about the things I put my kids through. Although I'm sure Bubby will thank me someday for sharing photos of him wearing Sissy's Littler Mermaid costume. And all kids dream of their momma's dressing them in matching clothes, right? And those are on the mild side of things they will one day hate me for, I'm sure.

But this post is about the inventor of "stop-action" photography...what he called the "snapper." Did you know we still use that same basic technology that was invented in the 1800s by H.H. Bennett in our cameras today? With a few modifications of course, but the principle is still the same. It was actually that invention and the wide-spread circulation of the photograph of Bennett's 15-year old son Ashley in mid-air jumping to Stand Rock that started the tourism phenomenon in Wisconsin Dells.

Here's Stand Rock:

And here's a look at the 5' 7" gap separating it from the rest of the hillside:

You can see, it's a pretty good drop from the edge until you hit the ground. Or trees. Or rocks. Or whatever you might happen to land on it you fell.

 Here's the shot that "proved" Bennett had indeed invented "stop-action" photography.

 He made his 15-year old son jump to Stand Rock 17 times until he got just the right shot.

 Today, tourists to the Dells get a recreation of that jump. Only today they use a German Shepherd. And a net. The son didn't get a net. Guess child-endangerment was not a big issue in the 1800s.

Here's the rest of the story, as told by our guide in the Dells:


I guess that means I need to thank young Ashley every time I take a picture of my kids in the rodeo arena, huh?