Speed vs. permanence: how wirephoto laid the foundations of modern visual journalism in the twentieth century

Abstract

Press photography in the twentieth century underwent a technological revolution with the development of wirephoto (1910-1980), a system that enabled the transmission of images photographs over long distances via cable or radio, redefining the global circulation of visual information. This article analyzes this evolution from an interdisciplinary perspective, exploring: 1) the transition from illustrations to printed photographs; 2) the slow distribution methods prior to wirephoto; 3) the adoption of systems driven by agencies such as AP and UPI; and 4) advances in printing—electrolytic, thermal, and electrostatic—that prioritized speed over permanence. The research reveals tensions between innovation and preservation: while electrolytic techniques (1930-1950) and dry processes (1960-1980) expedited image reception, they also generated fragile and ephemeral media. Today, these types of collections face conservation challenges due to their hybrid nature (between photography and print) and the lack of documentation regarding their production methods. The text concludes by highlighting the patrimonial value of these images as testimonies to a technological transformation that laid the foundations of modern photojournalism, and advocates for preservation strategies that integrate material, historical, and cultural approaches.