The Legend Of Vermont’s Snow Pioneer, Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley
A pioneering scientist from Vermont made huge advances in meteorology and photography
The hills of Vermont are synonymous with snow. Although the beautiful state has four seasons (really five if you ask locals), it’s best known for its majestic winters. It was this backdrop that spawned the legend of Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley, who pioneered the study of snowflakes and their breathtaking beauty.
Bentley, also known as “Snowflake,” was a pioneering American scientist and photographer who dedicated his life to studying and photographing snowflakes among other scientific endeavors. He was born in 1865 on a small family farm in Jericho, Vermont where he ended up living his entire life. He became fascinated with the delicate beauty of snowflakes as a youngster, which ultimately led to him becoming the first person to successfully photograph a singular snow crystal.
Bentley’s obsession with snowflakes began when he received a used microscope as a gift from his mother when he was just fifteen. Perhaps inspired to study due to the long winter months, he became enraptured by the intricate patterns of snowflakes that he observed under the microscope. Unfortunately, they melted before he could truly record their full features and study…
