Frederick W. Brehm Memorial Lecture records

The Frederick W. Brehm Memorial Lecture series was started at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in honor of Frederick W. Brehm (d. 1950), a former professor of photography at the school. Originally from Waterloo, NY, Brehm is best known for his role in developing the Cirkut Panoramic Camera. Although this camera was invented by William J. Johnston in Wyoming in 1904, the design was perfected and readied for mass production by Brehm. The camera worked by moving in an arc from left to right and utilized a timed exposure. When he patented his design on January 17, 1905, Brehm established himself as a leader in the field of photography.

In 1917, Brehm joined the Eastman Kodak Company. At the time, the Rochester Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute (RAMI) was training individuals to work in a variety of fields, but not in photographic production. With the Eastman Kodak Company being one of Rochester’s largest employers, it made sense that a Rochester-based school would help support the company's employment needs. In 1930, Brehm was “leant” to RAMI to serve as one of two faculty members in the Department of Photographic Technology, a program started to educate individuals to work in the field of photographic materials and equipment production. The program was designed to be a two year cooperative study program, with the first year of classes being taught by Brehm and the second year being taught by Carroll B. Neblette.

Brehm continued to teach at RAMI until July 1944. After retiring, he remained at RAMI (now the Rochester Institute of Technology) as an instructor emeritus and field consultant. Because he was seen as a father-like figure by his students, Brehm was often referred to by his pupils as “Pappy Brehm.” He died in Rochester, NY in 1950.

The first Frederick W. Brehm Memorial Lecture was held in 1950. Roy E. Stryker, best known for his work in organizing the documentary section of the Farm Security Administration (FSA), gave a biographical speech on Brehm. In addition to giving a speech, Stryker was honored with the Frederick W. Brehm Memorial Medal. The award and lecture series continued to be offered until at least 1989 with various figures in the field of photography being selected as recipients. In 1956 responsibility for the event was taken over by RIT's chapter of the Delta Lambda Professional Photographic Fraternity.

Frederick W. Brehm Memorial Medal recipients