Chappuis, Paul Émile

Region: United Kingdom / France    Period: 1850–1890    Occupation: Photographer / Inventor / Instrument maker   Tag: Chappuis
Paul Émile Chappuis
* 1816, Paris, France   † 20 May 1887, Brixton, England
Stereoscope with prismatic lenses and a label of Chappuis
Stereoscope with prismatic lenses and a label of Chappuis
© Virtual Stereoscopic Museum

Paul Émile Chappuis, who was born in France, moved to London to establish a photographic studio. In 1857, he introduced a mirror in the hinged lid of the stereoscope, allowing reflected light to be directed into the viewer. This eliminated the need to tilt the stereoscope towards a light source in order to illuminate the image. In 1858, Chappuis introduced the first tissue stereoview.

Related items: Hinged lid  Tissue stereoview

Company addresses:

Paul Émile Chappuis
69 Fleet Street, London
1859  –1871

Further reading:

  • Pellerin, Denis; May, Brian. Stereoscopy: The Dawn of 3-D (2021) , pp. 154, 160
  • "Paul Emile Chappuis" in: Wikipedia. via: en.wikipedia.org
Published: 06-03-2026    Last modified: 02-05-2026