A new book by Kathleen M. McDevitt begins with a promise and ends with a legacy that spans invention, war, and the quiet art of remembering.
Captured With Love and History: Willson Way Photography is part family memoir, part American invention story, and entirely the product of McDevitt’s determination to honor the generations who came before her, according to Peg DeGrassa of the Daily Times.
At the heart of the story is McDevitt’s grandfather, Thomas C. Willson Sr., a pioneering inventor whose contributions to photography earned him a title few can claim: the “father of school photography.”
In 1898, Willson developed an innovative camera magazine system that helped reshape the industry, and his original camera now sits in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
“This is a true David vs. Goliath story: My grandfather rejected an offer from George Eastman (Kodak) to buy his patent, choosing instead to build his own legacy,” said McDevitt.
The family’s story didn’t stop there. McDevitt’s father, Thomas C. Willson Jr., carried the spirit of invention into a new era, with innovations that ranged from early photo identification systems to work connected to the Manhattan Project and the USS Nautilus.
What makes the book resonate, though, is not just the history; it’s the humanity woven through it. Drawing on personal memories, local Delaware County history, and generations of family storytelling, McDevitt crafts a narrative built on invention, resilience, and love.
Now living in Media, McDevitt is bringing the story to life beyond the page, fulfilling her promise to her father to tell their story by sharing historical artifacts and family history through local talks and presentations.
Discover the full story of the Willson family’s extraordinary legacy, from a revolutionary 1898 camera to the Manhattan Project, in the complete article from the Daily Times.
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