William H. Zimmerman papers

William Henry Zimmerman (1839-1921) was born October 19 in Baltimore County, Maryland to John and Elizabeth Zimmerman. He graduated from Dickinson College in 1861. In 1863 he married Jennie Nelson Reed (1844-1918) of Virginia and together they had three daughters Nettie M., Grace E. B., and Jennie M. William Zimmerman was a professor of Natural Philosophy at Washington College and in 1873 was elected its Vice President under President William J. Rivers. A popular professor he worked hard to update the colleges laboratories and equipment, he also touted scientific advancements in geology, evolution, and anthropology. These advancements brought up discussions with his students about science and biblical teachings worrying many parents, the Board, and President Rivers. The President asked the Board to investigate any teaching that might lead students to “skepticism” and wrote the 1880 commencement address which warned against “anti-religious” philosophies. Two years later Zimmerman was asked to resign. Zimmerman filed several patents for improvements to hydro-electric lamps and in 1902 to a “scientific toy” and a Ludoscope. Similar to the Phenakistiscope of 70 years earlier his was manufactured and sold as a “Moving Picture Show in Your Own Home” by Harbach & Co. The viewer and six discs sold for fifty cents with six additional discs for fifteen cents. William’s wife Jennie made the illustrations of the prototype discs. On May 10, 1921 William H. Zimmerman passed away in Chestertown, Md.