Rodinal, its true story and formula.
Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 7:29 am
The Road to Rodinal
Rodinal was patented January 27, 1891 by Dr. Momme Andresen. It was the first product sold by Agfa and is the oldest photographic product still available (2012). After the patent expired, Rodinal has been supplied under different names by other companies. Rodinal is a concentrated liquid developer with very long storage life; the working developer is used once. wikipedia
Suppose that what you have always read about “Rodinal” was not true. What would you think? What would you do?
Hello, I am KennyE, a researcher and amateur photographer. I have been doing research all my adult life and photography for me; started at age 16 in 1959.
I became a member of the Eastpoint Camera Club of Eastpoint, Michigan, in 1964. We were following in the footsteps of the Detroit Lantern Club, formerly the Detroit Camera Club, founded by the wonderful Mr. Charles C. Hinchman, in 1886 and 1891.
My encounters with Rodinal, started in 1962, when I use to shop at the Detroit Camera Shop in downtown Detroit on Michigan Avenue. It was a beautiful shop, and I could spend hours there just looking over all the items that I wanted, and could not afford. And on the income of a 19 year old, working at Woolworth’s Department Store, at $000.89 cent an hour in 1962, that was a big deal back then.
Rodinal was $3.95 for a 250ml bottle, which is not a large sum today, but in 1962, with the US on a “gold standard”, that was a lot of money to spend when D-76 was $000.75 cent per quart package and Microdol was $1.10 per 8oz. bottle.
Mixing/home brewing my own formulas; would come much later in my life. But I still remember the salesmen at Detroit Camera Shop, showing me all the great photos made by those using Rodinal. I wanted it, but never used it until 2002.
I never wanted to get deeply entangled with Rodinal, but the mystery of its origins haunted me for years. I could never imagine that the formula was never revealed to the public. Never?
There are hundreds of old photography masters still in the Detroit area, but most are retired. I began to question them and at one point; I began to question my own actions. Then out of no where came a phone call, from a former member of the Gross Point Camera Club. And he told me that the information that I was seeking was in the old Amateur Photographers Magazines, we once had at our camera club. But that camera club had closed in 1971. Gone!
But Oakland University, Michigan State, Ferris State, and University of Michigan have them and they were also online. So, off I went to Oakland University, which is only 5 miles from my home.
And here are my findings:
Dr. Momme Andresen was not the person that we all grew up to believe in. He was an independent Jewish chemist, who discovered “eikonogen” and sold it to Agfa. It was their first developer, discovered by Dr. Momme Andresen in 1888 and patented in the United States via the Swiss in 1889. Why the Swiss you might ask. Because Germany (by order of the Kasier) refuse to sign the international patent treaty with the United States, and chose to remain uncovered by international law. His reasons were simple. United States was a country that has only been ruled by peasants. We are a nation with "no" royal blood lines.
Dr. Momme Andresen's fame would grow in the photography and chemistry circles because of ““eikonogen”. Eikonogen , was a welcome site, and it only expanded the limited number of available developers.
Afterwards, Andresen was summoned to work with and for Ernst Schering, the owner of Schering Chemicals in Germany, and on Schering’s new chemical discoveries made from coal tar, para-aminophenol or 4-aminophenol. Its main purpose was for the use in dyes, where tons of it; was being sold to the UK for the dying of cloth, in their huge clothing and garment industries.
Ernst Schering was also a Jewish chemist, who had left his Jewish faith and became a Protestant, in order to save his business and fit into German societies. Because Germany had moving towards a more nationalist and military state at the turn of the century, in the early 1900's.
Dr. Momme Andresen, for reasons not clear, ran off with the formula, and sold it to Agfa, as well as the formula known today as “Rodinal”. Ernst Schering, quickly employed the Swiss to save his para-aminophenol discoveries and investments, and had the Swiss patented it as “Duratol” with automatic filing in the United States.
Dr. Momme Andresen ill deeds would remain safe among his Jewish friends, but Dr. Andresen did something that became un-forgivable, even for them. He tried to steal a formula from some of his other associates.
Those associates were “J. Hauff and Bogish" the two men who discovered “Amindol and then Metol”.
J. Hauff and Bogish would take out ads informing the public of Dr. Andresen’s actions, plus informing the public that the true “Amindol and Metol” was their discovery.
Dr. Andresen had indeed discovered a better “Amindol” agent. But his actions were similar to what Richard Prince would do to Cariou’s work, a form of reverse engineering; and the Swiss, nor the United States; would patent his work. But his reverse engineered chemicals were manufactured by Agfa as “ Agfa Amindol and Agfa Metol" to avoid paying royalties to Hauff and Bogish. Even thou Agfa’s “Amindol” was in many cases…, better, this action of Dr. Andresen and Agfa of reverse engineering would include other discoveries by Bogish and Hauff, such as " Glycin".
Dr. Andresen’s associates wanted him to lose the fame and respect he had earned thru out the photographic circles that they all traveled. So from 1891 to 1893, they went on a crusade to usurp Dr. Andresen’s position and placement in the photographic community, by publishing the formulas that they and he had discovered together. They wanted him to publicly protest their actions against him, which he never did. They even posted his formulas in the Chicago World Fair of 1893, and in 1891, at private showing and viewings.
I looked in to every patent office available to Germany at the time; January 1891. If Dr. Momme Andresen or Agfa patented Rodinal on January 27th 1891, it was not with the Swiss or the United States.., in 1891; that I have come across. If some one do have that information please share it with me. Because United States records show that Germany was not a member of the treaty on July 1st 1891. Only the UK, Swiss, France, and Belgium were members. And if the patent was filed in a non member nation, the United States was not honor bonded to enforce it.
Two of Dr. Andresen dearest friends, Dr Ehrmann, of the “Photographic Times”, who was close friends with Herr Ernst Schering; and Dr. Stolze of “Photographic Nachrichter” delivered to the president and staff of the American Amateur Photographer Magazine the “Rodinal” formula as we know it today, plus numerous other formulas.
On September 8, 1891, the president of American Amateur Photography, James H. Stebbins Jr., with the assistance from F.C. Beach, gave lectures on Dr. Andresen’s “Rodinal” formula, and published the entire affair in their magazine. On October 13, 1891, Mr. Stebbins Jr. completed his lecture, following it up with additional information given to him by Dr. Ehrmann, on their work with Dr. Andresen and other associates.
“Rodinal” was not on the market in 1891 from what I can find. It had not arrived in America, and those against Dr. Andresen was doing all they could to make him a small player in the history of photography.
In 1915, Agfa would make a completely new "Rodinal" for the German Imperial Army, contained Sodium Bisulfite and lye of Sodium Bisulfite. The French would discover it when they came upon photos made by it. The French Army would first believe that the German Army had developed a new aerial camera, only to learn from their French spies, that it was a new form of "Rodinal".
During the first world war, the French Army gave the formula to the French Photographic Society, as "spoils of war". The French Army discovered it when they over ran German trenches. The Society would publish the formula in 1916 and again in 1920. And it has been carried in the BJP from 1921 to 1968.
In 1940, Agfa changed the “Rodinal” to use potash and not soda. The switch was one that I never would have thought of.
Germany was in World War II, and its armies were everywhere. And to keep the troops happy, they needed wine and beer. Sodium Metabisulphite, Sodium Hydroxide, and Sodium Sulphite is needed in that industry. So with Germany’s limited supplies, changes were needed. This is what I was told by those who lived in Germany during that period. It sounds logical. But is it true? I do not know.
I have the source material to back up my claims. Anyone who desire a copy or links can PM me. Anyone. Yet I must state this, all the sources and information that I obtained from those persons who hold information from estate of the decease Alfred Stieglitz's writings and property, will not be released. I gave my word. Their request will be fulfilled.
This is my information, and I want to share it. Check out my other posts before you form your opinion. Good or bad
KennyE
Rodinal was patented January 27, 1891 by Dr. Momme Andresen. It was the first product sold by Agfa and is the oldest photographic product still available (2012). After the patent expired, Rodinal has been supplied under different names by other companies. Rodinal is a concentrated liquid developer with very long storage life; the working developer is used once. wikipedia
Suppose that what you have always read about “Rodinal” was not true. What would you think? What would you do?
Hello, I am KennyE, a researcher and amateur photographer. I have been doing research all my adult life and photography for me; started at age 16 in 1959.
I became a member of the Eastpoint Camera Club of Eastpoint, Michigan, in 1964. We were following in the footsteps of the Detroit Lantern Club, formerly the Detroit Camera Club, founded by the wonderful Mr. Charles C. Hinchman, in 1886 and 1891.
My encounters with Rodinal, started in 1962, when I use to shop at the Detroit Camera Shop in downtown Detroit on Michigan Avenue. It was a beautiful shop, and I could spend hours there just looking over all the items that I wanted, and could not afford. And on the income of a 19 year old, working at Woolworth’s Department Store, at $000.89 cent an hour in 1962, that was a big deal back then.
Rodinal was $3.95 for a 250ml bottle, which is not a large sum today, but in 1962, with the US on a “gold standard”, that was a lot of money to spend when D-76 was $000.75 cent per quart package and Microdol was $1.10 per 8oz. bottle.
Mixing/home brewing my own formulas; would come much later in my life. But I still remember the salesmen at Detroit Camera Shop, showing me all the great photos made by those using Rodinal. I wanted it, but never used it until 2002.
I never wanted to get deeply entangled with Rodinal, but the mystery of its origins haunted me for years. I could never imagine that the formula was never revealed to the public. Never?
There are hundreds of old photography masters still in the Detroit area, but most are retired. I began to question them and at one point; I began to question my own actions. Then out of no where came a phone call, from a former member of the Gross Point Camera Club. And he told me that the information that I was seeking was in the old Amateur Photographers Magazines, we once had at our camera club. But that camera club had closed in 1971. Gone!
But Oakland University, Michigan State, Ferris State, and University of Michigan have them and they were also online. So, off I went to Oakland University, which is only 5 miles from my home.
And here are my findings:
Dr. Momme Andresen was not the person that we all grew up to believe in. He was an independent Jewish chemist, who discovered “eikonogen” and sold it to Agfa. It was their first developer, discovered by Dr. Momme Andresen in 1888 and patented in the United States via the Swiss in 1889. Why the Swiss you might ask. Because Germany (by order of the Kasier) refuse to sign the international patent treaty with the United States, and chose to remain uncovered by international law. His reasons were simple. United States was a country that has only been ruled by peasants. We are a nation with "no" royal blood lines.
Dr. Momme Andresen's fame would grow in the photography and chemistry circles because of ““eikonogen”. Eikonogen , was a welcome site, and it only expanded the limited number of available developers.
Afterwards, Andresen was summoned to work with and for Ernst Schering, the owner of Schering Chemicals in Germany, and on Schering’s new chemical discoveries made from coal tar, para-aminophenol or 4-aminophenol. Its main purpose was for the use in dyes, where tons of it; was being sold to the UK for the dying of cloth, in their huge clothing and garment industries.
Ernst Schering was also a Jewish chemist, who had left his Jewish faith and became a Protestant, in order to save his business and fit into German societies. Because Germany had moving towards a more nationalist and military state at the turn of the century, in the early 1900's.
Dr. Momme Andresen, for reasons not clear, ran off with the formula, and sold it to Agfa, as well as the formula known today as “Rodinal”. Ernst Schering, quickly employed the Swiss to save his para-aminophenol discoveries and investments, and had the Swiss patented it as “Duratol” with automatic filing in the United States.
Dr. Momme Andresen ill deeds would remain safe among his Jewish friends, but Dr. Andresen did something that became un-forgivable, even for them. He tried to steal a formula from some of his other associates.
Those associates were “J. Hauff and Bogish" the two men who discovered “Amindol and then Metol”.
J. Hauff and Bogish would take out ads informing the public of Dr. Andresen’s actions, plus informing the public that the true “Amindol and Metol” was their discovery.
Dr. Andresen had indeed discovered a better “Amindol” agent. But his actions were similar to what Richard Prince would do to Cariou’s work, a form of reverse engineering; and the Swiss, nor the United States; would patent his work. But his reverse engineered chemicals were manufactured by Agfa as “ Agfa Amindol and Agfa Metol" to avoid paying royalties to Hauff and Bogish. Even thou Agfa’s “Amindol” was in many cases…, better, this action of Dr. Andresen and Agfa of reverse engineering would include other discoveries by Bogish and Hauff, such as " Glycin".
Dr. Andresen’s associates wanted him to lose the fame and respect he had earned thru out the photographic circles that they all traveled. So from 1891 to 1893, they went on a crusade to usurp Dr. Andresen’s position and placement in the photographic community, by publishing the formulas that they and he had discovered together. They wanted him to publicly protest their actions against him, which he never did. They even posted his formulas in the Chicago World Fair of 1893, and in 1891, at private showing and viewings.
I looked in to every patent office available to Germany at the time; January 1891. If Dr. Momme Andresen or Agfa patented Rodinal on January 27th 1891, it was not with the Swiss or the United States.., in 1891; that I have come across. If some one do have that information please share it with me. Because United States records show that Germany was not a member of the treaty on July 1st 1891. Only the UK, Swiss, France, and Belgium were members. And if the patent was filed in a non member nation, the United States was not honor bonded to enforce it.
Two of Dr. Andresen dearest friends, Dr Ehrmann, of the “Photographic Times”, who was close friends with Herr Ernst Schering; and Dr. Stolze of “Photographic Nachrichter” delivered to the president and staff of the American Amateur Photographer Magazine the “Rodinal” formula as we know it today, plus numerous other formulas.
On September 8, 1891, the president of American Amateur Photography, James H. Stebbins Jr., with the assistance from F.C. Beach, gave lectures on Dr. Andresen’s “Rodinal” formula, and published the entire affair in their magazine. On October 13, 1891, Mr. Stebbins Jr. completed his lecture, following it up with additional information given to him by Dr. Ehrmann, on their work with Dr. Andresen and other associates.
“Rodinal” was not on the market in 1891 from what I can find. It had not arrived in America, and those against Dr. Andresen was doing all they could to make him a small player in the history of photography.
In 1915, Agfa would make a completely new "Rodinal" for the German Imperial Army, contained Sodium Bisulfite and lye of Sodium Bisulfite. The French would discover it when they came upon photos made by it. The French Army would first believe that the German Army had developed a new aerial camera, only to learn from their French spies, that it was a new form of "Rodinal".
During the first world war, the French Army gave the formula to the French Photographic Society, as "spoils of war". The French Army discovered it when they over ran German trenches. The Society would publish the formula in 1916 and again in 1920. And it has been carried in the BJP from 1921 to 1968.
In 1940, Agfa changed the “Rodinal” to use potash and not soda. The switch was one that I never would have thought of.
Germany was in World War II, and its armies were everywhere. And to keep the troops happy, they needed wine and beer. Sodium Metabisulphite, Sodium Hydroxide, and Sodium Sulphite is needed in that industry. So with Germany’s limited supplies, changes were needed. This is what I was told by those who lived in Germany during that period. It sounds logical. But is it true? I do not know.
I have the source material to back up my claims. Anyone who desire a copy or links can PM me. Anyone. Yet I must state this, all the sources and information that I obtained from those persons who hold information from estate of the decease Alfred Stieglitz's writings and property, will not be released. I gave my word. Their request will be fulfilled.
This is my information, and I want to share it. Check out my other posts before you form your opinion. Good or bad
KennyE