This was invented by Charles Bennett in 1878, coming soon after Dr. Richard Leach Maddox had suggested the use of Gelatin as a binder. This new process was revolutionary:

• from now on portable darkrooms would no longer be necessary;
• the process was much more sensitive to light, and therefore relatively fast shutter speeds were possible;
• it led to a greater degree of standardisation and quality
• a new range of cameras (including novel ones, such as used for example by Paul Martin), began to appear.

By Dr. Robert Leggat