Camera Obscura...

is more than that little invention that eventually helped develop the world known as photography. It's been a well-kept secret in Santa Monica, until now. Well, maybe.

I was perusing a book in the Central Library's gift shop (go figure) in downtown L.A. and came across a fun little adventure. Apparently a senior home has a dark little room to view pictures in a unique fashion. According to the Walk in the History of Santa Monica(pdf) I found online, "Upstairs is the Camera Obscura which preceded the camera in portraying current images." The Camera Obscura "was developed by the Chinese in 5th Century B.C. The quality was improved in the 16th Century A.D. by the addition of the convex lens in the aperture and a mirror to reflect the image down on the viewing surface. In the 19th century, the ordinary camera was invented by placing a sheet of light sensitive paper on the viewing surface." It's on 1450 Ocean Blvd. in Santa Monica and noted SO MANY times in that book and sites online that it was once a huge attraction and now no one hardly ever goes. I want to check out this room for myself, and maybe say hi to the old folks. :)

Oh and if you ever want an easy way to look up the bus routes and the numbers of the bus you need, go to metro.net. You just type your address and the address of your destination. It has saved my life numerous of times and helps me go on my adventures.

-Maggie