Folding pocket sized Kodak camera. Lens incased in a black plastic exterior with a leather handle on one side and a silver, metal turning handle on the top for the film. When the front opens, you can see the lens as well as the black sliding extention. It pulls out on a track that has a built in distance guide. Around the lens, it says "Kodak Ball Bearing Shutter, Rochester, NY, USA"

In 1855, George Eastman of Rochester, New York made a device that attached to almost any camera to hold rolled-up photographic paper. The paper replaced the glass slides previously used. In 1888 he decided to market his own camera. This would be cheap to make and simple to operate, and the original Kodak model could film for 100 images. When they were exposed, the consumer sent the entire camera back to the factory for processing. Other models followed. This Model 3A Folding Pocket camera was one of the most popular ever made. It was manufactured from 1903 until 1934 (with modifications). One of its most popular features was that it made an image that was 3 1/4" x 5 1/2". Earlier Kodak cameras and the cameras of its rivals made pictures that were only 2 1/4" x 3 1/4". A bigger image meant that pictures did not have to be enlarged after they had been processed, and that saved money.

The content on this site is made available for research and education purposes only. The use of these materials may be restricted by law or the donor.

Any other use, such as exhibition, publication, or commercial use, is not allowed except by written permission in accordance with the NHM Image Rights and Reproduction Policy.

For questions on image rights and reproduction, please contact nhmcollections@hellenicmuseum.org