POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Eastman Kodak 'Bullet' camera.

Object No. 85/497

George Eastman patented his first Kodak camera in 1889 with the slogan: 'You press the button we do the rest'. Over the next century Kodak cameras revolutionised photography by reducing costs and making simple but high quality camera's available to non-professionals. This is one of those cameras. The earliest Kodak's were simple box cameras which were sent to a local dealer after all the shots on the film inside were taken. The dealer developed the film and sent the photographs and the reloaded camera back to the photographer. Kodak realised the real money was in the sale and developing of film and he introduced numerous models to capture the interest of people from all walks of life. While introducing a wide range of innovative features two designs dominated Kodak's cameras. The most famous of these was the Box Brownie, designed by Frank Brownell, and introduced at the cost of one dollar in 1900. Brownie's were produced in one form or another up until the 1960s when the Kodak Instamatic was introduced. The second major design was Folding Pocket Kodak camera introduced in the 1890s. The Folding Pocket camera was highly portable and could be brought in a range of film sizes. Larger negatives such as those found in the No. 4A Folding Pocket Camera were favoured for more professional shots. The smaller Vest Pocket Kodak camera's were introduced in 1912 and were popular with soldiers in World War One. The miniature Bullet camera was designed by Kodak to make photography a quick and simple process and this example still has its original box. Produced between 1936 and 1942 the Bullet camera cost around $3.00 and had a Bakelite body and a helical telescoping front. References McKeown, Jim and Joan, Collectors Guide to Kodak Cameras, Centennial Photo Service, 1981 Geoff Barker, March, 2007

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Summary

Object Statement

Camera, 'Bullet', Bakelite / glass / metal, made by Eastman Kodak, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 1936-1942

Physical Description

Camera, 'Bullet', Bakelite / glass / metal, made by Eastman Kodak, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 1936-1942 A camera with a black Bakelite body and circular lens that can be extended by turning the round Bakelite barrel that frames the lens. The metal viewfinder can be folded down against the top of the camera when it is not in use. There is a metal winder on the top of the camera. In the middle of the back of the camera there is a round, red tinted window.

DIMENSIONS

Height

70 mm

Width

125 mm

Depth

45 mm

PRODUCTION

Notes

This camera was made by Eastman Kodak in America 1936-1942.

SOURCE

Credit Line

Gift of F Sykes, 1985

Acquisition Date

29 April 1985

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