CROWN POINT, IND. John Dillinger, the notorious outlaw, as he stood in a Crown Point Court today, and heard his death trial set for March 12. Dillinger is pictured as he heard the arraignment

Unknown

February 9, 1934 · Gelatin silver print · Photographs

Before today’s fast-paced twenty-four hour news cycle, an eager American public followed the development of criminal investigations through the gray tones of press photographs. News outlets used a wire service to send images via in-house or portable transmitters, converting black-and-white tones into electrical pulses that were instantaneously received and printed using the same technology. Mundane courtroom proceedings, such as arraignments and evidence display, became newsworthy through the immediacy of reportage. Every small detail was devoured by a public impatient for news about notorious bank robbers and murderers—some of whom, like John Dillinger, were elevated to the status of folk heroes.

Artist

Unknown

Date

February 9, 1934

Medium

Gelatin silver print

Department

Photographs

Credit line

Purchase, The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation Gift, through Joyce and Robert Menschel, 2003