In 1914, an adventurous young photographer Ted Reichenbach, better known as  Ryko , bicycled to Darwin from Adelaide following the Overland Telegraph Line! At 22 years old, he made the journey in the record time of 28 days and 7 minutes. Ryko supported himself by selling many of his photographs as postcards (such as this one). In his time in the north he formed close relationships with many Aboriginal people. They would sometimes help him by  staging photographs of excitement, danger and humour that would sell. He went on to open a bike shop and studio in Cavanagh Street in Darwin but began using the nickname Ryko due to growing anti-German sentiment at the time. The postcards remain much sought-after by collectors, libraries and museums.

Image: Karilyn Brown Collection, Northern Territory Library

Published 24 April 2016