Tom Howard (photographer)
Encyclopedia
Thomas James "Tom" Howard (died October 1961) was an American photographer who worked at the Washington bureau of P. & A. Photographs during the 1920s. His photograph of the execution of Ruth Snyder
at Sing Sing
on January 12, 1928 has been called "the most famous tabloid photo of the decade".
, determined to secure a photograph, resorted to subterfuge. They brought in Howard, who was not known to the prison warders or journalists in the New York area. He arrived early and, passing himself in by posing as a writer, he took up a vantage position so as to be able to take pictures with the help of a miniature camera that he had strapped to his left ankle. The camera had a single photographic plate
which was linked by cable to the shutter release concealed within his jacket. When Snyder’s body shook from the jolt, Howard depressed the shutter release, exposing the plate. The final image captures a sense of movement.
The photograph was published the next day on the front page of the paper under the banner headline "DEAD!" and Howard gained overnight popularity. He received a princely sum for this coup and went on to become the head of photography for the White House.
The camera Howard used to snap the shot is part of the collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History
.
The state attempted to prosecute Howard and the newspaper, but nothing ever came of it. For many years afterwards witnesses to executions were searched and asked to hold up their hands so they could not operate hidden camera
s.
, best known for playing the character Norm
on the TV sitcom Cheers
, and his great-grandson is actor and Saturday Night Live cast member/writer Jason Sudeikis
. His wife, Helen, died in 1958.
Ruth Snyder
Ruth Brown Snyder was an American murderess. Her execution, in the electric chair at Sing Sing Prison, for the murder of her husband, Albert, was captured in a well-known photograph.-The crime:...
at Sing Sing
Sing Sing
Sing Sing Correctional Facility is a maximum security prison operated by the New York State Department of Correctional Services in the town of Ossining, New York...
on January 12, 1928 has been called "the most famous tabloid photo of the decade".
The execution photo
Photographers are not permitted into executions in the United States, so the New York Daily NewsNew York Daily News
The Daily News of New York City is the fourth most widely circulated daily newspaper in the United States with a daily circulation of 605,677, as of November 1, 2011....
, determined to secure a photograph, resorted to subterfuge. They brought in Howard, who was not known to the prison warders or journalists in the New York area. He arrived early and, passing himself in by posing as a writer, he took up a vantage position so as to be able to take pictures with the help of a miniature camera that he had strapped to his left ankle. The camera had a single photographic plate
Photographic plate
Photographic plates preceded photographic film as a means of photography. A light-sensitive emulsion of silver salts was applied to a glass plate. This form of photographic material largely faded from the consumer market in the early years of the 20th century, as more convenient and less fragile...
which was linked by cable to the shutter release concealed within his jacket. When Snyder’s body shook from the jolt, Howard depressed the shutter release, exposing the plate. The final image captures a sense of movement.
The photograph was published the next day on the front page of the paper under the banner headline "DEAD!" and Howard gained overnight popularity. He received a princely sum for this coup and went on to become the head of photography for the White House.
The camera Howard used to snap the shot is part of the collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History
National Museum of American History
The National Museum of American History: Kenneth E. Behring Center collects, preserves and displays the heritage of the United States in the areas of social, political, cultural, scientific and military history. Among the items on display are the original Star-Spangled Banner and Archie Bunker's...
.
The state attempted to prosecute Howard and the newspaper, but nothing ever came of it. For many years afterwards witnesses to executions were searched and asked to hold up their hands so they could not operate hidden camera
Hidden camera
A hidden camera is a still or video camera used to film people without their knowledge. The camera is "hidden" because it is either not visible to the subject being filmed, or is disguised as another object...
s.
Family
Howard's grandson is actor George WendtGeorge Wendt
George Robert Wendt III is an American actor, best known for the roles of Norm Peterson and Tug Clarke on the television shows Cheers and Modern Men.-Early life:...
, best known for playing the character Norm
Norm Peterson
Hillary Norman "Norm" Peterson is a character on the American television show Cheers, portrayed by George Wendt. Norm's real first name was revealed to be Hillary, named after his grandfather....
on the TV sitcom Cheers
Cheers
Cheers is an American situation comedy television series that ran for 11 seasons from 1982 to 1993. It was produced by Charles/Burrows/Charles Productions, in association with Paramount Network Television for NBC, and was created by the team of James Burrows, Glen Charles, and Les Charles...
, and his great-grandson is actor and Saturday Night Live cast member/writer Jason Sudeikis
Jason Sudeikis
Daniel Jason Sudeikis is an American actor and comedian currently starring as a cast member on Saturday Night Live.-Early life:Sudeikis was born Daniel Jason Sudeikis in Fairfax, Virginia, the son of Kathryn , a travel agent who was president of the American Society of Travel Agents, and Dan...
. His wife, Helen, died in 1958.
Further reading
- Time-Life Books. (1969). This fabulous century, 1920-1930. [Time-Life this fabulous century], 1920-1930. Alexandria, Va: Time-Life Books. ISBN 0809457660