Civil War in 3D

Courtesy: Library of Congress

The start of the American Civil War in 1861 coincided with a surge in stereo photography—a technique that makes it possible to see photos with three-dimensional depth. A pair of images combines into a single 3D scene, using a special viewer. (Or, you can “freeview” by crossing your eyes!).... Although 3-D technology seems new, stereo photography first became popular around the time of the Civil War. In fact, many Civil War photographs were made specifically to be viewed in 3-D....While 19th-century photographic technology could rarely capture action shots of the war, many stereos show the careful preparation for battles, the aftermaths, and close-up scenes in camps and forts....

Learn More About It …
Books:
Zeller, Bob, and John Richter. Lincoln in 3-D. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2010.
Zeller, Bob. Civil War in Depth: History in 3-D. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 1997-2000. 2 volumes.

Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division:
o Stereograph Card Viewing
o Civil War Glass Negatives and Related Prints

Center for Civil War Photography
Civil War 3D viewing on Flickr