E/DITORIAL 
THE WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESS 
It gives us pleasure to publish the following letter of Roger H. 
Williams announcing the dedication to the free use of scientists 
of the Williams patented process for preparing fossils and other 
objects for photographing. Paleontologists in particular will 
appreciate this generous action and will be deeply gratified that 
the original wish of the inventor of the process, Dr. Henry S. 
Williams, and the purpose of his son, the proprietor of the patent, 
are thus consummated. This is but one of many valued contribu- 
tions to paleontolgy and geology by Dr. Williams which have 
placed his colleagues under obligations and have won their high 
esteem. 
LaCae? 
September 12, 1912 
Editor of “‘ Journal of Geology”’: 
Dear Sir: It may be of interest to your readers to know that as of July 1, 
1912, there has been dedicated to the free use of science and scientists the 
patented process for photographic illustrations (U.S. Pat. No. 640,060), owned 
by the undersigned and known among paleontologists, who found it especially 
useful in specimen work, as the “‘ Williams Process.” 
In brief, it consists in the deposition by sublimation on the object to be 
photographed of an extremely tenuous monochrome film for the purpose of 
obviating the reflection, refraction, and distorted shadow values common in 
ordinary photography of certain classes of objects. 
It has been a matter of great regret to the writer that a long-continued and 
expensive investigation, arising out of an entirely legitimate difference as to the 
scope and validity of the patent, has delayed until now the fulfilment of the 
original intention of the writer to make this dedication so soon as the expenses 
incurred in perfecting and establishing the patent should have been secured 
by the moderate royalties hitherto charged. The outcome of the controversy 
has entirely justified the writer’s position—the opinion of the opposing experts 
conclusively confirming the fundamental character of the invention. 
As one interested in science, the writer would have been pleased if his means 
had permitted the assumption of all the expenses of this patent without thought 
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