Scott's Photographica Collection

Photographic Technology Patents

This page presents a number of patents, many of which represent important historical milestones in the development of photography.

Like many collectors I've accumulated a large reference library of catalogs, price guides, magazines, books, advertisements, instruction manuals, collector's association journals - you name it.  Happily, on occasion, I find an item that I can't locate in any of these sources.  It doesn't happen often enough, but when it does occur I become obsessed to learn something about the item's history.

I've found patents to be an invaluable research tool.  As one example I was able to identify a  strange looking object that I was sure was photographic, but looked like some kind of medical device.  I showed this object to other collectors.  The consensus opinion was it must be an accessory self-timer.  After searching the US Patent and Trademark Office Web site for an hour I had my answer.  It is an early camera self-timer attachment patented in 1902 by Robert Faries of Decatur, Illinois.  Links to the patent drawings and description of the self-timer are on this page.

The patents on this page were downloaded from the USPTO Website as PDF files.

Patents

• R. Faries - Shutter Tripper for Cameras, 1902 (Autopoze Self-timer)
  I believe this to be the second USA patent for a camera self-timer and possibly the first or second self-timer marketed in the USA.
  Photo and description of the Faries Shutter Tripper


• B. A. Slocum - Shutter Releasing Device, 1901 (Self-timer)
  I believe this to be the first USA patent for a camera self-timer.  An interesting feature is it relies upon a lit fuse for operation.  I do not know if this device was marketed.  Please contact me if you have information about this self-timer.


• G. Eastman and F. M. Cossitt - Detective Camera, 1886
  This detective camera patented by George Eastman and F. M. Cossitt predates the Original Kodak introduced in 1888. It is said a small number were manufactured for sale.  Eastman decided the camera would be too expensive and halted production.  Look at the very strange shutter mechanism.  If you've had the opportunity to examine an Original Kodak, you may notice that some of the concepts in the detective camera design were carried over to the original and later Kodaks.


• W. Schmid - Photographic Camera, 1883 (Schmid Detective Camera)
  The Schmid Detective camera is historically important because it was the first hand-held instantaneous camera manufactured for sale.  Prior to its introduction, cameras required the use of a tripod or similar support.  This camera relied upon newly introduced rapid dry plates.  These plates were fast enough that a tripod was not required in bright daylight.
  
  I think the most significant technological advance in the Schmid patent was the introduction of a waist-level reflex viewfinder.  This allowed the photographer to view the subject while hand-holding the camera.  Prior to this development viewing the subject was a cumbersome process that required the photographer to switch back and forth between inserting a ground glass screen for focus and viewing, and a glass plate for exposure.  
  
  This camera was patented by William Schmid of Brooklyn, New York.  The patent rights were assigned to E. & H. T. Anthony & Co., New York City.  Anthony marketed this camera as the Schmid Detective camera. Sadly, I don't own a Schmid Detective camera.  Why not follow this link to the George Eastman House where you can view one from their collection?


• George Eastman - Camera, 1889
  This patent with the modest name "Camera", details George Eastman's design for his string-set sector shutter.  The first Kodak camera introduced in 1888 employed a unique barrel form of shutter mechanism.  The sector shutter was more reliable and less expensive to manufacture than the barrel shutter.   The sector shutter was introduced with the No.1 Kodak camera in 1889 and used on subsequent string-set Kodak models as well.
  Photo and description of No. 2 Kodak camera with sector shutter


• Book Match Shipping Container, 1940
  Not a photographic patent, but used by Ansco in their promotion of  Super Anscochrome Tungsten film.
  Photo and description of the Ansco matchbook


• Magnus Niéll - Photographic Camera, 1904 (Expo Watch Camera)
  Thomas Wallace - Camera Shutter and Operating Mechanism Therefor, 1920 (Expo Watch Camera)
  Both of these patents apply to the Expo Watch camera, an early subminiature camera disguised as a pocket watch.  The 1904 patent was issued to Magnus Niéll, who assigned one half of the rights to Thomas Wallace.  Thomas Wallace was issued a patent in 1920 for improvements to the original 1904 design.  The Expo Watch camera was licensed for manufacture and sale in England to Houghtons Ltd. under the Ticka camera name.  
  Photo and description of the Expo Watch Camera
  Photo and description of the Ticka Watch Camera


• Magnus Niéll - Vest-Pocket Camera, 1908 (Advanced Version of the Expo Watch Camera)
  Camera designer Magnus Niéll applied for this patent in 1907.  It was granted in 1908.  Unfortunately this improved version of the Expo Watch Camera was not manufactured for sale.  This is an attractive design that among other improvements, features a built-in folding reflex viewfinder.  
  Photo and description of the Expo Watch camera


• T. H. Blair - Camera, 1890 (Hawk-Eye Detective Camera)
  This is one of various patents for the Hawk-Eye Detective camera issued to Thomas H. Blair of the Blair Camera Company.  The Hawk-Eye Detective was originally produced by the Boston Camera Company in 1888.  Blair purchased Boston Camera Company in 1890 and continued to improve and sell the Hawk-Eye camera for nearly a decade.  This large wood box camera took 4 x 5 inch photographs on glass plates.  You'll notice similarities and differences between the camera in my collection, which is a later improved model, and the features and design covered in this patent.
  Photo and description of a Blair Hawk-Eye Detective camera


• Ray J. Monner - Exposure Meter, 1939 (Pupilometer) 
  Since the earliest days of photography an interesting variety of inventive methods have been developed to assist the photographer to arrive at a correct exposure.  This patented and marketed device is to my mind one of the most interesting.  It is based upon the concept that the size of a photographer's eye pupil varies in proportion to the amount of light illuminating the scene.  By measuring the relative size of the pupil, and comparing this to a chart of pupil sizes, the chart would reveal the correct shutter speed and lens aperture settings for a particular film.
  Photo and description of the Monner Exposure Meter


• Charles Ansel Watrous - Device for Determining Light Intensity, 1934 (Pupilometer)
  This pupilometer predates the Monner exposure meter patent above.  It is interesting in that it is a very elaborate mechanical device and also because the patent application claims the meter could be built into a camera for automatic exposure control.


• August and Louis Lumière - Photographic Plate for Color Photography, 1906
  The earliest commercially successful method for creating full color photographs was invented by the Lumiere brothers of Lyon, France.  Their invention dates to 1903.  A US patent was applied for during 1904 and granted in 1906.  The Lumiere brothers began marketing their color plates in 1907.  This process became very popular and was practiced by both amateur and professional photographers until the mid to late 1930s.
  An early color portrait and additional information
  An unopened 4x5 inch box of Autochrome plates
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• Heinz Kilfitt - Photographic Camera, 1936 (Robot Camera)
  The Robot camera was the invention of Heinz Kilfitt of Schweim, Germany, a prolific photographic inventor and entrepeneur.  Heinz Kilfitt sold his patent to Hans Berning who formed Otto Berning and Company to manufacture and market Robot cameras.  This is the USA Robot patent, applied for in 1935 and issued in 1936.  The German patent, not shown, was applied-for in 1934.  The USA patent gives a thorough explanation of the workings of this amazing little spring-motor automatic advance camera.
  Photo and description of a 1954 Robot Junior camera


• William V. Esmond - Combined Camera and Photograph Exhibitor, 1892 (Kombi Camera and Graphoscope)
  The Kombi Camera and Graphoscope is a combination camera and transparency viewer.  The Kombi camera is classified by the US Patent Office as a "camera convertible to a viewer".  To date, 52 patents have been issued with this classification.  The Kombi was the second such patent granted.  It was preceded by a combination camera/lantern slide projector patented in 1881.
  
  The Kombi was manufactured and sold by Alfred C. Kemper of Chicago, Illinois USA.  It is a charming, very small all-metal box camera of historical importance.
  Photo and description of a Kombi Camera and Graphoscope


• Harry and Charles Gamwell - Photographic Camera, 1898 (Adams & Westlake Adlake Camera)
  Harry and Charles Gamwell of Liverpool, England assigned this camera patent to the Adams & Westlake Company of Chicago, Illinois USA.  This patent covers the Adlake camera's unusual plate holder and plate opening mechanism.  After reading the patent, I still don't understand why this design was marketed.  This appears to be an unnecessarily complex mechanism that offers no real advantage over standard plate holders of the period.
  Photo and description of an Adlake Camera


• Carl A. Bornmann - Film Shifter, 1929 (Ansco Memo Camera)
  The Film Shifter patent describes the Ansco Memo camera's claw film advance mechanism.  The distinctive body design of the Memo camera is apparent in the patent drawing.  Carl A. Bornmann of Binghamton, NY USA assigned the patent rights to Agfa Ansco Corporation, also of Binghamton, NY.
  Photo and description of an Ansco Memo Camera


• Benjamin A. Slocum and John F. Polhemus - Photographic Package, 1931 (Ansco 35mm Film Cassette)
  This patent covers the Ansco Memo film cassette design.  The cassette was introduced with the Ansco Memo camera in the late 1920s.  This cassette permitted the use of 35mm cine film in a still camera and predates the introduction of the standard 35mm film cassette by Eastman Kodak Company in 1934.
  Photo and description of the Ansco 35mm Film Cassette


• Carl A. Bornmann - Camera Casing, 1928 (Ansco Memo Camera)
  This is a design patent covering the Ansco Memo's distinctive look.  Design patents describe an invention's appearance.  In contrast, utility patents provide a functional description for an invention.  Apparently Carl Bornmann saw his invention not only in terms of its function but equally in terms of its form.  Such vision brings another inventor, Walter Zapp, the creator of the Minox camera to mind.
  Photo and description of an Ansco Memo camera


• Frank A. Brownell - Shutter for Photographic Cameras, 1902 (Panoram Kodak Camera)
  This patent, assigned to the Eastman Kodak Company, describes the function of the No. 1 and No. 4 Panoram Kodak cameras.  While Eastman Kodak held a variety of panoramic camera patents, this particular patent provides a clear and thorough description of the camera mechanism.
  
  One of the patent's important claims, is that this design is an improvement over other panoramic cameras in that the lens does not require capping before tensioning the mechanism.  It is interesting to see how this was achieved.  This improvement addressed a weakness in the Al-Vista panoramic camera design that required capping as the lens was swung into its firing position. 
  Photos and description of an Eastman Kodak No. 1 Panoram Kodak
  ...an Eastman Kodak No. 3A Panoram Kodak
  ...and a Baby Al-Vista Panoramic Camera
  
  
• Charles Albert Verschoor - Photographic Camera, 1936 (Argus A camera)
  Charles Verschoor's miniature camera for 35mm film was designed for economy of manufacture.  Primarily this patent covers a novel form of collapsible lens mount.  The Argus model A camera, introduced in 1936, obtained its distinctive features from this patented design. 
  Because the Argus A was inexpensive to manufacture, and yet provided good features and quality, it had a profound effect on the acceptance of 35mm photography by the general public.
  Photos and description of an Argus A camera


• James B. Cummins, Theodore R. Kolter - Sequence Camera, 1965 (Graph-Check Sequence Camera)
  The Graph-Check Sequence camera creates eight still sequential photographs of a moving subject.  The eight images are recorded on a single sheet of standard 4x5 inch Polaroid film.  The time interval between successive exposures is adjustable from approximately 1 second to 1/80 second.  This novel camera is equipped with eight separate lenses and shutters.  Although the Graph-Check is considered to be a specialized-use camera, its inventors intended the Graph-Check to be used by laymen.  The camera was primarily marketed to athletics coaches and golfers.
  
  In granting this patent, the examiner referenced four previous sequence camera patents.  The earliest patent referenced was issued in 1883 to the famous inventor and photographer of moving subjects, Edward J. Muybridge. 
  Photos and description of the Graph-Check Sequence camera


• Carl Bornmann and Ezra C. Clark - Photographic Camera, 1916 (Automatic and Semi-Automatic Ansco Cameras)
  Myron B. Gordon - Automatic Film Winding Camera, 1920 (Automatic and Semi-Automatic Ansco Cameras)
  These two patents, assigned to the Ansco Company, describe designs for spring-motor drive roll film cameras.  The Semi-Automatic Ansco of 1924 was the world's first auto-advance still camera for paper-backed rollfilm.
  Photos and description of a Semi-Automatic Ansco camera


• Hugo Fritzsche - Roll-Film for Photographic Purposes, 1904 (Vidil Focusing Film)
  Hugo Fritzcshe - Film-Spool for Photographic Cameras, 1904 (Vidil Film Spool)
  Hugo Fritzsche of Leipzig, Germany was the inventor of a very unusual rollfilm.  Marketed as Vidil film, and Vidil Focusing Film, it was available for only a short time at the beginning of the 20th century.  Vidil film was patented in Europe as well as the United States.  Here are two USA patents for this relatively unknown invention.
  
  Vidil film gave viewing screen capability to non-reflex roll film cameras.  Actually, the viewing screens were built into the film, not the camera!
  Photos and description of an Ansco No.7 camera for Vidil film


• Louis Mandel - Magazine Camera, 1914 (Mandelette Postcard Camera)
  The Mandelette Postcard camera, introduced ca 1913, was marketed to street photographers.  With its built-in developing tank the camera was capable of taking and processing a direct-positive postcard-format photograph within minutes.
  Photos and description of a Mandelette Postcard Camera


• Lewis H. Moomaw - High Speed Camera, 1937 (Bell & Howell Foton)
  Filed in 1935 and granted in 1937, this patent by Lewis H. Moomaw was assigned to the Folmer Graflex Corporation, makers of Graflex and Graphic cameras.  I can only speculate that Bell & Howell purchased or licensed the patent rights from Folmer Graflex.
  
  Lewis H. Moomaw - Camera, 1940 (Bell & Howell Foton)
  This second patent by Lewis H. Moomaw was filed in 1938 and granted in 1940. Unlike the earlier patent listed above, Mr. Moomaw retained all rights.
  
  I thought a camera as unique as the Foton would have been protected by a patent, but after long hours of research I gave up looking.  Then I was contacted by a gentleman who owns what appears to be an early version of the Foton.  He told me his camera is marked with two patent numbers and passed along the information.  Thanks to Mr. David Jones for his help!
  Photos and description of the Bell & Howell Foton camera


• Bermpohl Naturfarbenkamera, 1930
  The Bermpohl one-shot tri-color camera was an exceptionally capable and beautiful professional level color separation camera that was popular ca. 1930 - 1950.
  Photos and description of a Bermpohl Naturfarbenkamera


• Optikotechna Spektaretta Camera, 1938
  I located the British patent for the Spektaretta camera by using the Espacenet Patent Search at https://www.epo.org. I combined the four separate pages into a single PDF file for ease of viewing.
  Photos and description of a Spektaretta Camera

Page created September 10, 2003; updated July 5, 2022