Microscopic Image Photography Techniques of the Past, Present, and Future.

Context.— The field of pathology is driven by microscopic images. Educational activities for trainees and practicing pathologists alike are conducted through exposure to images of a variety of pathologic entities in textbooks, publications, online tutorials, national and international conferences, and interdepartmental conferences. During the past century and a half, photographic technology has progressed from primitive and bulky, glass-lantern projector slides to static and/or whole slide digital-image formats that can now be transferred around the world in a matter of moments via the Internet. Objective.— To provide a historic and technologic overview of the evolution of microscopic-image photographic tools and techniques. Data Sources.— Primary historic methods of microscopic image capture were delineated through interviews conducted with senior staff members in the Emory University Department of Pathology. Searches for the historic image-capturing methods were conducted using the Google search engine....