William LITTLE.

On 26 August 1845 the South Australian gave details of the earliest known photographic images made in South Australia: ‘DAGUERROTYPE – Mr W. Little, North Terrace, who has acquired considerable reputation as an ingenious mathematical and optical instrument maker, has just succeeded in acquiring the above important art. Thus parties who wish to send accurate likenesses to England, will probably be enabled to do so at very trifling expense.’

However, a few weeks later, on 19 September, the paper said that a shortage of silvered plates had forced Mr Little to use the calotype process: ‘A few weeks ago we noticed Mr Little's having succeeded with the daguerrotype. The difficulty of getting the requisite silvered plates in the colony presenting an obstacle to the bringing of this art into general use here, he has directed his attention to processes on paper. We have just seen a few of Mr Little's specimens, from which it is evident how important this art will eventually become for the copying of plans, maps, drawings, engravings, &c. In an impression of a piece of lace, the smallest threads are distinctly marked, and the outlines well defined. The usual time for taking an impression is about ten minutes: the first impression is negative, consequently a second operation is requisite to bring out the shades in their natural order. In an experiment which we witnessed, a piece of white paper was transformed by the solar rays into a perfect picture in one minute. Mr Little has not yet tried portraits, but will probably do so soon. Photogenic drawings on silvered plates, and on paper, have each their peculiar merits. The former are remarkable for their delicacy of outline and the minute accuracy of their detail, but they cannot be transferred, and the least friction obliterates them. The latter can be transferred with the greatest facility, and books are now actually published in England, illustrated by these drawings: besides, their cheapness and durability render them of great utility for ordinary purposes.’

William Little’s telescope was the centre of attention at the exhibition of colonial produce and manufactures held in Adelaide on 19 February 1846. In its report of the exhibition the South Australian said, ‘Above all, we do not think anything, in point of ingenuity, skill and labour, surpassed the Gregorian, or reflecting, telescope (power 50 times), by Mr Little, the talented mathematical and scientific instrument maker. Having had the privilege of testing the powers of this instrument, we can state that it has been executed with very great skill, and that Mr Little has produced a very perfect instrument. We understand that this is the only instrument of this kind that has been manufactured here, and there are only two others of the kind in the colony. We should rejoice much to see an artist like Mr Little adequately encouraged.’ Four weeks later the paper was able to report that on the recommendation of Captain Frome Mr Little had been awarded a prize for his Gregorian telescope.

In July 1846 William Little advertised an exhibition of the oxy-hydrogen microscope, which would allow the public to see magnified images of ‘Australian insects, animalculae, etc.’ in the large room behind the Freemason’s Tavern, admission charge two shillings.

When samples of emery discovered on the Mount Remarkable survey were brought to Adelaide for analysis in 1847, William Little was considered the person best qualified to test it. He submitted the emery to a variety of tests and then examining it under a powerful microscope at his North Terrace premises he was able to supply a favourable report.

End.