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Posted By: Mike

The term "wire photo" applies to the method by which the actual photo was sent from one location to another. (after about 1935) "Over the Wire". Like a telegram of sorts. Before that technology came about, all photos were made one at at a time, and copies could be made from the negative. The piece of paper applied to the back of most wire photos was "not" the wire. The piece of paper was simply attached later after the photo was developed, and was used to explain the nature and contents of the photo. When wire technology came about, the explainations of the contents became part of the actual photo, and normally appeared on the front and was typed text, usually at the bottom of the photo. Again, the term wire photo was the actual process used in sending the photo, and receiving it over the so called wire. The term wire phot has nothing to do with the little piece of attached paper. That piece of paper is called a "slug"


Edited to add that the best book by far, to help folks learn about photos is "A portrait of baseball photography". By Marshall Fogel, and Henry Yee, and Khyber Oser.