Johnson, E. R. (Eldridge Reeves Fenimore), 1899-1986

Eldridge Reeves Fenimore Johnson (1899-1986) was a pioneer in the development of underwater photography and was also an explorer, yachtsman and researcher. His interests in underwater photography developed during World War II when he enlisted in Naval Research and worked with underwater demolition and photography. He created his own company, Fenjohn Underwater Equipment Company and patented equipment inventions.

E.R. Fenimore Johnson, born in 1899, was the son of Eldridge R. Johnson, the founder and President of the Victor Talking Machine Company of Camden, NJ, and Elsie Reeves Fenimore Johnson. E.R. Fenimore Johnson served at the Field Artillery Officers’ School at Fort Taylor during World War I, following which, his professional training began at the Victor Talking Machine Company. Exposed to almost all aspects of the business, Johnson became the Superintendent of the newly created Experimental Department. He was “assigned the task of withdrawing the company’s inventors and experimental engineers from the various departments and forming them into a modern research and development organization with a separate machine shop, drafting and laboratory facilities,” ( Frontiers ). Johnson continued in this position until 1923, when he was appointed Vice President of the Company. In 1925, he became Vice-President in Charge of Manufacturing; in 1926, he was elected Director of Gramophone Company, Ltd of England; and in 1927, he became a Director and Vice-President of the Victor Talking Machine Company of Canada. After his family’s sale of the Victor Talking Machine Company, he continued in his position until the merger with RCA, when he retired.

From 1931 until the start of World War II, Johnson “organized a modest research and development firm and spent much of his time in big game hunting, exploration and cruising the world’s oceans in his yacht, the Elsie Fenimore,” ( Philadelphia Inquirer ). During this time, he also became involved in the University of Pennsylvania Museum, serving as Director and Vice President, and the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. He participated in several expeditions, notably to the Paraguay River, Matto Grosso in Brazil, and Easter Island, circa 1929, under the auspices of the University of Pennsylvania Museum. His explorations and photographic work took him to Africa, Asia, the Bahamas and Andros Island.

At the onset of World War II, Johnson joined the United Sates Naval Reserves and in June, 1942, he was commissioned a lieutenant in the Mines Countermeasures Section, Research Division, Bureau of Ordnance. He served in this capacity until 1944 when he was assigned to the General Ordnance School; after which he was “assigned to the David W. Taylor Model Basin where his duties were in connection with underwater explosion tests and underwater photography,” ( Frontiers ).

Following World War II, Johnson reorganized his research and development company into the Fenjohn Underwater Photo and Equipment Company which focused on gear for diving and photography and was responsible for “the design of several underwater cameras,” (Frontiers). Johnson patented several inventions and authored scientific papers on underwater photography and preservation of motion picture film. He co-authored a paper on the Absorption and Scattering of Solar Radiation by the Sea. He also conducted research tests on water transparency under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution.

Johnson served on the board of the Franklin Institute and the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia and in 1950, was elected Vice President of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. He took an active role in the E.R. Johnson Memorial, honoring his father, at the Delaware State Museum located in Dover, Delaware. He was a member of the Corinthian Yacht Club, the Merion Cricket Club and the Union League.

E. R. Fenimore Johnson died on April 5, 1986. At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife Janet Darby Johnson whom he married in 1921, and his children: Eldridge R., II, George and Janet.

Bibliography:

Frontiers . “E.R.F. Johnson Now Vice President of the Academy,” October 1950.

Philadelphia Inquirer . “Eldridge R.F. Johnson, 87, researcher, explorer,” April 8, 1986.

From the guide to the E.R. Fenimore Johnson photographs, 1929-1970, (Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia)