Rochester Firsts Photo Frenzy

This week's individual challenge is to take a photograph of yourself (or a willing model) using at least three of the firsts in our list below. The firsts you use must be taken from our list.

Four winning images will be selected by a panel of judges from the photo staff of the Democrat and Chronicle, according to the following criteria: originality, technical excellence, composition, overall impact, artistic merit and the creative incorporation of "firsts" into the final image.

Images should be saved as JPEG images, and should be at 300 dpi. Only one photo submission is allowed per user. Photos should be submitted using the photo upload utility on the submissions page.

All participants will receive 250 points for submitting a photo that meets the requirements listed. Winners will also receive a Kodak EasyShare M381 digital camera, and two tickets to the Halloween Gala.

Invented in Rochester

  • First automobile patent
  • The first beauty salon, and the reclining shampoo chair
  • Mail chutes in office buildings
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Bloomers
  • French's mustard
  • Roll film
  • Box camera
  • Photocopiers
  • Ray-Ban sunglasses

First Used in Rochester

  • The first pressurized fire hydrant system in the US.
  • The first voting machine manufactured and used in the United States
  • Timed locks for banks

First Based in Rochester

  • Western Union
  • Gannett Newspapers
  • Fannie Farmer Candies