Camerapedia
Register
(fghjk)
Tag: Visual edit
Tag: Visual edit
 
(6 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 25: Line 25:
 
The name "Brownie" was a trademark used by [[Kodak]] for an enormous variety of cameras, over an 80-year history. The common theme of all the cameras bearing the brand is that they were intended as affordable snapshot-takers, with few or no exposure or focus adjustments provided.
 
The name "Brownie" was a trademark used by [[Kodak]] for an enormous variety of cameras, over an 80-year history. The common theme of all the cameras bearing the brand is that they were intended as affordable snapshot-takers, with few or no exposure or focus adjustments provided.
   
The original box Brownie camera was introduced in 1900, for a new 117 film format yielding 6 exposures 2-1/4" square. One of the final appearances of the Brownie name occurred with a 110-cartridge camera sold by [[Kodak Ltd.]] in 1980.<ref name = "McKeown">{{McKeown12}}</ref>
+
The original box brownie camera was introduced in 1900, for a new 117 film format yielding 6 exposures 2-1/4" square. One of the final appearances of the Brownie name occurred with a 110-cartridge camera sold by [[Kodak Ltd.]] in 1980.<ref name = "McKeown">{{McKeown12}}</ref>
   
 
In the intervening years, Brownie cameras were sold which used 117, 120, 116, 124, 122, 125, 130, 127, 620, and 110 film sizes.<ref>[http://www.brownie-camera.com/list.shtml Brownie Model list] at [http://www.brownie-camera.com/ The Brownie Camera Page].</ref> One historically significant introduction was the No.2 Brownie of 1901. This model introduced [[120 film]],<ref name = "McKeown" /> which later proved to be the longest-surviving of all roll film sizes.
 
In the intervening years, Brownie cameras were sold which used 117, 120, 116, 124, 122, 125, 130, 127, 620, and 110 film sizes.<ref>[http://www.brownie-camera.com/list.shtml Brownie Model list] at [http://www.brownie-camera.com/ The Brownie Camera Page].</ref> One historically significant introduction was the No.2 Brownie of 1901. This model introduced [[120 film]],<ref name = "McKeown" /> which later proved to be the longest-surviving of all roll film sizes.
Line 33: Line 33:
 
The Brownie name is also considered to be a tribute to Kodak's camera designer [[Frank A. Brownell|Frank Brownell]], whose designs contributed much to Kodak's early success. His Brownie design (a simple cardboard box-camera priced at just USD $1.00) was affordable even for children, thus carrying Kodak's goal of affordable mass-market photography even further.
 
The Brownie name is also considered to be a tribute to Kodak's camera designer [[Frank A. Brownell|Frank Brownell]], whose designs contributed much to Kodak's early success. His Brownie design (a simple cardboard box-camera priced at just USD $1.00) was affordable even for children, thus carrying Kodak's goal of affordable mass-market photography even further.
   
Considering its long history, one can't rule out the possibility of the Brownie name reappearing again some day, presumably on a simple [[Kodak]] digital camera.
+
Considering its long history, one can't rule out the possibility of the Brownie name reappearing again some day, presumably on a simple [[Kodak]] digital camera.
   
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
Line 46: Line 46:
 
* [http://www.picturenoise.com/Kodak%20Box/index.html A picture gallery using Kodak Brownie Box Camera]
 
* [http://www.picturenoise.com/Kodak%20Box/index.html A picture gallery using Kodak Brownie Box Camera]
 
* [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/listeKo_imagettes.php Kodak's and Brownies] on [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php www.collection-appareils.fr] by Sylvain Halgand
 
* [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/listeKo_imagettes.php Kodak's and Brownies] on [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php www.collection-appareils.fr] by Sylvain Halgand
  +
* Kodak Brownie Fans Facebook group, on https://www.facebook.com/groups/289854724547131/
 
[[Category:Kodak]]
 
[[Category:Kodak]]
 
[[Category:B|Brownie]]
 
[[Category:B|Brownie]]

Latest revision as of 17:12, 19 January 2018

Brownies

The name "Brownie" was a trademark used by Kodak for an enormous variety of cameras, over an 80-year history. The common theme of all the cameras bearing the brand is that they were intended as affordable snapshot-takers, with few or no exposure or focus adjustments provided.

The original box brownie camera was introduced in 1900, for a new 117 film format yielding 6 exposures 2-1/4" square. One of the final appearances of the Brownie name occurred with a 110-cartridge camera sold by Kodak Ltd. in 1980.[1]

In the intervening years, Brownie cameras were sold which used 117, 120, 116, 124, 122, 125, 130, 127, 620, and 110 film sizes.[2] One historically significant introduction was the No.2 Brownie of 1901. This model introduced 120 film,[1] which later proved to be the longest-surviving of all roll film sizes.

At the time of the first 1900 model, the name "Brownie" would have been familiar to the North American public as a series of elf-like cartoon characters, introduced in 1883 by Canadian writer and illustrator Palmer Cox, which drew on the brownies of Scottish folk tradition[3]. Kodak advertised early Brownie cameras with its own drawings of elf-like creatures, but these do not seem to have been drawn by or licensed from Palmer Cox.[4]

The Brownie name is also considered to be a tribute to Kodak's camera designer Frank Brownell, whose designs contributed much to Kodak's early success. His Brownie design (a simple cardboard box-camera priced at just USD $1.00) was affordable even for children, thus carrying Kodak's goal of affordable mass-market photography even further.

Considering its long history, one can't rule out the possibility of the Brownie name reappearing again some day, presumably on a simple Kodak digital camera.

Notes[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover).
  2. Brownie Model list at The Brownie Camera Page.
  3. Palmer Cox (1840–1924), Creator of The Brownies at Townships Heritage Webmagazine, Quebec, Canada
  4. Brownie Camera Links from Palmer Cox history posted at the Freemason's Grand Lodge of BC and Yukon, Canada.

Links[]