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Harold Edgerton: Ten Photographs

Football Kick

1934
(American, 1903–1990)
America, 20th century
gelatin silver print
Image: 29.2 x 23.4 cm (11 1/2 x 9 3/16 in.); Paper: 35.2 x 27.9 cm (13 7/8 x 11 in.)
Gift of the Harold and Esther Edgerton Family Foundation 1996.346.2
Impression: 8
Location: not on view
This artwork is known to be under copyright.

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Did You Know?

The foot belongs to Youngstown native Wes Fesler, who played football, basketball, and baseball at Ohio State University and went on to become a college football and basketball coach.

Description

In 1931, electrical engineer Harold Edgerton invented the stroboscope, a flash that produces split-second bursts of light that allow photographs to freeze objects in motion and show phenomenon not visible to the unaided eye. Edgerton noted that "the ball is inflated to the normal playing pressure. . . . Measurements show that the boot penetrates at least half the diameter of the ball. At the top of the ball, note the dust suspended in mid-air as the rapidly accelerated ball leaves."
Football Kick

Football Kick

1934

Harold Eugene Edgerton, Palm Press, Inc.

(American, 1903–1990)
America, 20th century

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