Heliograph Collection

Heliograph used by British army in Africa
Heliograph used in the British army in Africa, probably during the Boer War (1899-1902). The heliograph is a wireless telegraph that signals by flashes of sunlight (generally using Morse code)

Illustration showing a British soldier signalling with a heliograph. Heliographs were used during the Zulu
5311587 Illustration showing a British soldier signalling with a heliograph. Heliographs were used during the Zulu, Afghan and South African campaigns

British soldier signalling with a heliograph, 1850
3480159 British soldier signalling with a heliograph, 1850; (add.info.: British soldier signalling with a heliograph. Heliographs were used a great deal during the Zulu War)

British soldier signalling with a heliograph, 1850
3480158 British soldier signalling with a heliograph, 1850; (add.info.: British soldier signalling with a heliograph on the Indian frontier. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Illustration showing a Mance Heliograph, a wireless solar telegraph that signals by flashes of sunlight
5311590 Illustration showing a Mance Heliograph, a wireless solar telegraph that signals by flashes of sunlight (generally using Morse code) reflected by a mirror

British soldier signalling with a heliograph, 1850
3480162 British soldier signalling with a heliograph, 1850; (add.info.: British soldier signalling with a heliograph. Heliographs were used a great deal during the Zulu; Afghan)

Mance's field heliograph, 1850
3480161 Mance's field heliograph, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting Mance's field heliograph. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Begbie's heliograph, 1850
3480160 Begbie's heliograph, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting Begbie's heliograph. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

British heliographers, Johannesburg Fort, South Africa, 1901 circa (b / w photo)
5920875 British heliographers, Johannesburg Fort, South Africa, 1901 circa (b/w photo) by Underwood & Underwood (c.1881-1940); National Army Museum

Yorkshire Regiment heliograph team signalling from New Zealand Hill, Boer War, 1900 (b / w photo)
5920705 Yorkshire Regiment heliograph team signalling from New Zealand Hill, Boer War, 1900 (b/w photo) by Underwood & Underwood (c.1881-1940); National Army Museum

The Relief of Chitral, crossing the Loari Pass (engraving)
1039171 The Relief of Chitral, crossing the Loari Pass (engraving) by Nash, Joseph (d.1922); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Relief of Chitral, crossing the Loari Pass)

The Zulu War, the Heliograph at Work, Flashing Messages to a Beleaguered Force (engraving)
1106754 The Zulu War, the Heliograph at Work, Flashing Messages to a Beleaguered Force (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Zulu War)

Signalling by heliograph (chromolitho)
1093226 Signalling by heliograph (chromolitho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Signalling by heliograph)

The House at Gras, near Chalon-sur-Saone, France where French inventor Nicephore Niepce developed heliography
2619042 The House at Gras, near Chalon-sur-Saone, France where French inventor Nicephore Niepce developed heliography, from Les Merveilles de la Science

With the Tochi Field Force, the Heliograph at Work (litho)
1042573 With the Tochi Field Force, the Heliograph at Work (litho) by Dadd, S.T. (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: With the Tochi Field Force, the Heliograph at Work)

With the Allied Forces in China (litho)
1600424 With the Allied Forces in China (litho) by Schonberg, Johann Nepomuk (1780-1863) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: With the Allied Forces in China)

British Sailors signalling by Heliograph (b / w photo)
1605826 British Sailors signalling by Heliograph (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: British Sailors signalling by Heliograph)

With the Lushai Expedition (engraving)
1626730 With the Lushai Expedition (engraving) by Loye, Charles Auguste (Montbard) (1841-1905); Private Collection; (add.info.: With the Lushai Expedition)

The Transvaal War (engraving)
1592884 The Transvaal War (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Transvaal War. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 11 November 1899)

Practising with the Heliograph at the Fort (litho)
1042759 Practising with the Heliograph at the Fort (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Practising with the Heliograph at the Fort)

A French Signal Corps with heliographs, telescopes and flags
A French Signal Corps with heliographs, telescopes and telegraph flags. Date: circa 1909

British heliographing from the Johannesburg Fort the news of the occupation, Boer war, 1900. Johannesburg was captured by the British on 31st May 1900

The Kew heliograph being used in an eclipse-viewing expedition to Spain, 1860
The Kew heliograph being used in an eclipse- viewing expedition to Spain, 1860. Depicting a temporary observation point with the Kew heliograph inside, surrounded by astronomers

Heliograph, c1900. The Heliograph, a visual telegraph for sending and receiving messages by means of mirrors and sunlight

Diy Heliograph
A simple heliograph is easily constructed, and uses the suns rays to transmit messages, in morse code, over distances up to 100 kilometres

Troops Tower David heliograph minaret background
Troops on Tower of David, showing heliograph in use, minaret in background, Jerusalem, Israel

Troops Tower David troops close up heliograph
Troops on Tower of David, troops close up showing heliograph in use & the King David hotel in distance. The present G.H.Q. for Palestine operations, Jerusalem

Drawing By The French Painter Ingres. Reproduction Of A Heliograph By SAanchez Gerona

Capture of Chipilly Ridge 1918
Capture of Chipilly Ridge by the 58th (London) Division, Royal Field Artillery Signallers with heliograph etc. in a German trench captured on the previous day on the Western Front in France during

Group photo, Royal Marine Artillery Signallers, October 1902. Equipment on display includes a telescope, a lime light, a signalling lamp and two heliographs. Date: 1902

1st Port of Spain scout with heliograph, Trinidad. The equipment was made by two scouts, the Potter brothers

1st Port of Spain scouts with heliograph, Trinidad

Women Signallers Territorial Corps, WW1
Women demonstrating their skills at the headquarters training school of the Women Signallers Territorial Corps in 1916. From left

CHINA: BOXER REBELLION. U. S. soldiers sending messages via heliograph from the
CHINA: BOXER REBELLION. U.S. soldiers sending messages via heliograph from the top of the Tartar City wall at Beijing, in China, during the Boxer Rebellion. Stereograph published by Carleton H

WORLD WAR I: SIGNAL STATION. British signal station on a railroad track on the Western Front during World War I. The soldier looking through the telescope tells what he sees to his comrade

Heliograph, a visual telegraph for sending and receiving messages by means of mirrors and sunlight. Here a British signal unit in tropical kit are sending a message to the fort in the distance

Temple of Sobek, Hypostyle Hall, relief depicting Ptolemy VIII Euergetes and Cleopatra II
Egypt - Aswan - Kom-Ombo - Temple of Sobek, Hypostyle Hall. Relief depicting Ptolemy VIII Euergetes and Cleopatra II

Egypt, Beginning of the Book of the Dead, Papyrus by Khonsumes
Egyptian civilization, Third Intermediate Period. Beginning of the Book of the Dead. Papyrus of Khonsumes. Detail: the deceased making offerings to Osiris, Isis and Nephthys

Two soldiers using heliograph for signalling, France, WW1
Two soldiers using a heliograph for visual signalling near Feuchy, during the Battle of Arras in northern France, during the First World War. Date: April 1917

Naval Heliograph Detail
The works of the type of heliograph used by the Royal Navy

Naval Heliograph in Use
A sailor of the Royal Navy operating the heliograph

Cavalry Brigade at Work
Heliograph section of a Sikh cavalry brigade in the British army at work near a French tower

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"Heliograph: A Revolutionary Communication Tool in the British Army's Arsenal" In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a remarkable invention known as the heliograph played a crucial role in military operations, particularly for the British army stationed in Africa. This ingenious device utilized sunlight to transmit messages across vast distances, revolutionizing communication on the battlefield. One captivating image from circa 1901 depicts British heliographers at Johannesburg Fort in South Africa. In this black and white photograph, these skilled individuals can be seen operating their heliographs with precision and expertise. Their determined faces reflect their commitment to relaying vital information swiftly and accurately. Another striking photo captures members of Yorkshire Regiment's heliograph team signaling from New Zealand Hill during the Boer War in 1900. The monochromatic image showcases their unwavering dedication amidst challenging conditions, highlighting how this technology bridged gaps between troops spread across treacherous terrains. The power of heliography extended beyond African battlefields; it was instrumental during significant historical events worldwide. An engraving depicting "The Relief of Chitral" portrays soldiers crossing Loari Pass while utilizing a heliograph system to communicate critical updates back to headquarters. Similarly, an engraving titled "The Zulu War" showcases brave soldiers using a heliograph to flash messages to beleaguered forces under siege—a testament to its effectiveness even amidst intense conflict situations. Heliography's impact reached far beyond war zones too. An enchanting chromolitho artwork illustrates signalling by heliograph—showcasing its versatility not only within military contexts but also for civilian purposes such as emergency communications or exploration missions. Delving into history reveals that French inventor Nicephore Niepce developed this groundbreaking technique at his residence near Chalon-sur-Saone, France—an achievement immortalized through an engraving featured in Les Merveilles de la Science published around 1870.