Stereoscopy, as an idea, was first developed by Sir Charles Wheatstone (1802–75) in 1832. With the invention of photography in 1839, Wheatstone began to apply photographic images to his notion of stereoscopy, leading to the development of the stereograph.

A stereograph, or stereoscopic photograph, consists of two photographs mounted side by side. The two photographs are taken slightly apart, roughly the distance between a human’s eyes. For this reason, when the works are viewed together through a special, purpose-made stereoscopic viewer, the brain combines the two images, creating a sense of depth and three-dimensionality.

Wilson was very aware of the commercial potential of stereoscopic photography. Stereoscopic photographs allowed viewers to ‘step’ into a landscape from the comfort of their own home. Watch the animations below to see the three-dimensional effect for yourself.