Univex Model A Camera (Version I), Universal Camera Corporation, N.Y., Circa March 7 1933 (Image from Patent) by Kirk Thorsteinson Via Flickr: Univex Model A Camera (Version I), Universal Camera Corporation, N.Y., Circa March 7 1933 (Image from Patent) Universal Camera Corporation made still cameras, cine cameras, projectors and films of unique designs during the 1930s and 1940s. Their first film camera was the Univex model A and Univex #00 film. Otto Wolff Githens and Jacob J. Shapiro began developing their business venture likely circa 1932. Their plan was to manufacture a camera and make prints so inexpensively that anyone could buy it – even at the height of the Great Depression. Their plan was to make and also process the film into images for the customer by having their cameras use a non-standard proprietary roll film that only they would make and process in labs set-up by them across the country, thus insuring control of the entire supply chain. Their main revenue source would be from the customer’s purchase and processing of the film, rather than the purchase of the camera itself [4]. Githens and Shapiro incorporated Universal Camera Corporation on January 26, 1933 in New York [1, 4]. Then, three months later O. W. Githens filed a detailed Patent (No. 2,029,474) on March 7 1933 covering a camera body design, film spool design, film advance mechanism and the shutter mechanisms for a camera that would become their first camera, the Univex Model A. In early 1933 Universal Camera also established a contract with Gevaert (Belgium) to produce their proprietary roll film – the Univex #00 film - which they were able make at such a low cost that they could sell it for 10 cents/roll. Each roll would provide six exposures and it could only be used in their line of Univex still cameras. They released the film and their Univex Model A in mid 1933. The camera sold for 39 cents [1, 4]. The simple meniscus lens of the Univex Model A was only capable of taking pictures in bright sun light, but it produced a 28.6 x 38.1 mm image which is was about 26% larger than a standard image (24 x 36mm) size recoded on a 35mm wide perforated film. For very little money, a person could buy the camera and a roll of Universal's film along with a kit to develop and print the pictures. This was a bargain and the Univex Model A was an instant success as many people were finding it too expensive to use cameras to record family memories during difficult times of the Depression [3]. Within just a few months, Universal was manufacturing twenty thousand Univex A cameras a day [3]. Sales for 1934 alone reached almost three million cameras (1, 3, 4]. Universal Camera Corp’s initial financial success was not solely from the sale of inexpensive cameras, but more so from the sale of the low-cost roll film. By 1938, twenty-two million rolls were sold [1] with Universal Camera able to control the processing that film due to its unique size, either through their labs or though the sale of their amateur film developing kits which contained all the chemicals necessary to process film at home [3]. Their success with their Univex Model A camera was not due entirely to the US market. There is evidence that in the mid - late 1930s Universal Camera was exporting this camera, its film and presumably their film processing kits internationally to the UK and Europe, A multi-language version of their instruction manual is known to exist and its design inspired similar cameras to be made in both the UK and France. The Univex Model A camera appears to have even made it way as far as Shanghai China, with an example being found there dated with an owner’s name from that period. Additionally, a local company in Shanghai actually made and sold an exact copy of the camera as well a copy of the Univex #00 film for a short time prior to the invasion of Shanghai (see a separate discussion paper prepared by this author on this subject). Universal Camera had a lucrative government contract during the war; however after the war Universal again met with financial difficulties during the 1948 - 1949 recession and ultimately declared bankruptcy on April 16, 1952. One of the main contributing factors was film availability. Universal Camera Corp’s Univex Model A appeared in three (3) slightly different variations [3]. Univex Model A (Initial Version) The initial version of the Univex Model A was as molded resin camera with an imported glass meniscus lens and a single speed metal shutter [4]. The front of the camera bore a sunburst design, the lens opening was plain and unadorned, and the wind knob was plastic [4]. This version was made only in 1933, and is very rare [4]. The instruction sheet for this camera appears to have been prepared at the time the camera was launched as it used images of the initial version of the camera. However, this instruction sheet was supplied with the camera during its entire manufacturing period and was never updated to incorporate later design changes made to the camera. It was printed in English (as shown), or on a much larger page having the same layout of text and graphics repeated in different languages (i.e. French / German). The camera that appears in the graphics is most likely the Version I camera having the black plastic film advance knob on the upper left of the camera body (but the image lacks the star-burst pattern on the front of the camera). Univex Model A (Version II) The second 1933 model also bore the sunburst design, but the following design changes are evident; first, the lens opening is stepped, to reduce stray light reflections; second, the wind knob is made of die-cast zinc rather than plastic [4]. It has a wire-frame attached to front side of camera that then collapses on to the front of the camera. This model was called the Univex Model A “Patent Pending Model” McKeown's Price Guide (2004) [1]. Univex Model A (Version III) In the spring of 1934 a third version was release that can be easily identified by the “geometric” design, bearing stripes along the axis of the lens barrel housing. This model replaced the previous version. Additionally, the design of the molded-plastic rear sight to frame the subject has changed. Further, there was also a significant change to the film transport mechanism. The film advance knob in the Version II camera is located on the upper left of the camera when held in its picture taking position. The film is pulled from the bottom roll to the top roll when the film is advanced. However in Version III, this is rotated 180 degrees, such that the film advance knob is now located in the bottom right of the camera, presumably making it easier for a person to use the camera. This is the most common version of the design. It should be noted that this change was not reflected in an update of the instruction sheet; however this was common practice for manufactures of the inexpensive Bakelite instant cameras at the time in order to keep the costs down. Univex No. 00 Roll Film Univex #00 roll film was marketed only through the Universal Camera Corporation [3]. Their proprietary non-standard Univex #00 film was specially made under contract from 1933 to when the USA entered WW2. Gevaert’s Ultrachrome film was loaded onto Universal Camera’s special patented V-spool, packaged in Belgium and then shipped to the USA where it sold for 10 cents. When used in a Univex camera, it would hold six (6) 1 1/8 x 1 ½ inch (2.86cm x 3.81 cm) images. The Univex #00 film has a very unique film size and no other manufacturers used this spool design or this film width. It has a width of 32mm. The smallest format film offered by Kodak at the time was the VP 127 film format (having a 47mm width). Kodak’s 135 format film cassette (launched in 1934) and Kodak’s 828 format paper-backed roll film (launched in 1935), had a 35mm film width. Additionally, the V-shaped spool which fit into a V-shaped socket in the camera, was unique to Universal Camera Corp’s still cameras which all used their Univex #00 film [2]. This collection has an example of an exposed Univex #00 film as well as a number of film spools (THPC Item No. 20020427_1348097845_07 and _09). They are thought to be pre-war (circa 1933 – 1941) examples of the film. Interestingly the film spools are cast using a rather heavy metal (possibly lead or zinc), rather than being fabricated from steel sheet metal like most spools of the period. Presumably this was done to reduce costs as the complex design of the V-shaped spool would have been too difficult to fabricate using sheet metal. Choosing a casting method, they likely selected a low cost metal; however the resulting weight of the spool could have added to shipping costs. When the USA entered WWII, film shipments were suspended from Gevaert and Universal switched to packaging its film in the United States. However, after two years Universal Camera’s film production was unable to keep pace with demand [1]. Around this time Universal Camera added their Univex #00 Ultrapan Panchromatic film which sold for fifteen cents [2]. Universal Camera controlled the production as well as the distribution of the film. Although the film was inexpensive, they were unable to keep their films widely available enough to meet the needs of their consumers, which ultimately contributed to the demise of the company. References; [1] McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras (3 Volume Set), Twelfth Edition 2005-2006, Edited by James M. McKeown and Joan C. McKeown, Published September 1, 2004. Note: The information presented in the McKeown's Price Guide on these cameras was drawn from the book “The Univex Story: Universal Camera Corporation”, Cynthia Repinski, Edition First Edition, October 1, 1991, Centennial Photo Service (Publisher) [2] "Univex / Norton / Duovex and Rower" Article, Jerry Friedman, Camera Shopper Issue 142, Jan. 2004 Note: This article also draws its information from Cynthia A. Repinski's The Univex Story (Grantsburg, WI; Centennial Photo Serv., 1991) [3] SUBMIN.Com, www.submin.com/large/manuals/univex/ [4] A Jewel of a Camera: the Shady Origins of UniveX, October 27, 2009 oldcameras.wordpress.com/2009/10/27/a-jewel-of-a-camera-t... See also; camera-wiki.org/wiki/universal camera-wiki.org/wiki/Univex_Model_A #UniversalCamera, #UniversalCameraCorporation, #O.W.Githens, #J.J.Shapiro, #Univex, #UnivexModelA, #Univexfilm, #UnivexNo.00, #Univex#00, #V-Spool, #UnivexV-Spool, #Gevaert, #Ultrachromefilm, #GevaertUltrachrome, #UnivexUltrachrome, #UnivexUltrapanPanchromatic, #UltrapanPanchromatic, #subminiaturecamera, #Bakelitecamera,

Univex No. 00 Ultrachrome Film Made by Gevaert (Belgium) for Universal Camera Corp, N.Y., 1933 - 1942 by Kirk Thorsteinson Via Flickr: Univex No. 00 Ultrachrome Film Made by Gevaert (Belgium) for Universal Camera Corp, N.Y. circa 1933 - 1942, having unique 32mm wide format and and V-Spool Design (TPHC Item No. 20020427_1348097845_07) Universal Camera Corporation made still cameras, cine cameras, projectors and films of unique designs during the 1930s and 1940s. Their first film camera was the Univex model A and Univex #00 film. Otto Wolff Githens and Jacob J. Shapiro began developing their business venture likely circa 1932. Their plan was to manufacture a camera and make prints so inexpensively that anyone could buy it – even at the height of the Great Depression. Their plan was to make and also process the film into images for the customer by having their cameras use a non-standard proprietary roll film that only they would make and process in labs set-up by them across the country, thus insuring control of the entire supply chain. Their main revenue source would be from the customer’s purchase and processing of the film, rather than the purchase of the camera itself [4]. Githens and Shapiro incorporated Universal Camera Corporation on January 26, 1933 in New York [1, 4]. Then, three months later O. W. Githens filed a detailed Patent (No. 2,029,474) on March 7 1933 covering a camera body design, film spool design, film advance mechanism and the shutter mechanisms for a camera that would become their first camera, the Univex Model A. In early 1933 Universal Camera also established a contract with Gevaert (Belgium) to produce their proprietary roll film – the Univex #00 film - which they were able make at such a low cost that they could sell it for 10 cents/roll. Each roll would provide six exposures and it could only be used in their line of Univex still cameras. They released the film and their Univex Model A in mid 1933. The camera sold for 39 cents [1, 4]. The simple meniscus lens of the Univex Model A was only capable of taking pictures in bright sun light, but it produced a 28.6 x 38.1 mm image which is was about 26% larger than a standard image (24 x 36mm) size recoded on a 35mm wide perforated film. For very little money, a person could buy the camera and a roll of Universal's film along with a kit to develop and print the pictures. This was a bargain and the Univex Model A was an instant success as many people were finding it too expensive to use cameras to record family memories during difficult times of the Depression [3]. Within just a few months, Universal was manufacturing twenty thousand Univex A cameras a day [3]. Sales for 1934 alone reached almost three million cameras (1, 3, 4]. Universal Camera Corp’s initial financial success was not solely from the sale of inexpensive cameras, but more so from the sale of the low-cost roll film. By 1938, twenty-two million rolls were sold [1] with Universal Camera able to control the processing that film due to its unique size, either through their labs or though the sale of their amateur film developing kits which contained all the chemicals necessary to process film at home [3]. Their success with their Univex Model A camera was not due entirely to the US market. There is evidence that in the mid - late 1930s Universal Camera was exporting this camera, its film and presumably their film processing kits internationally to the UK and Europe, A multi-language version of their instruction manual is known to exist and its design inspired similar cameras to be made in both the UK and France. The Univex Model A camera appears to have even made it way as far as Shanghai China, with an example being found there dated with an owner’s name from that period. Additionally, a local company in Shanghai actually made and sold an exact copy of the camera as well a copy of the Univex #00 film for a short time prior to the invasion of Shanghai (see a separate discussion paper prepared by this author on this subject). Universal Camera had a lucrative government contract during the war; however after the war Universal again met with financial difficulties during the 1948 - 1949 recession and ultimately declared bankruptcy on April 16, 1952. One of the main contributing factors was film availability. Universal Camera Corp’s Univex Model A appeared in three (3) slightly different variations [3]. Univex Model A (Initial Version) The initial version of the Univex Model A was as molded resin camera with an imported glass meniscus lens and a single speed metal shutter [4]. The front of the camera bore a sunburst design, the lens opening was plain and unadorned, and the wind knob was plastic [4]. This version was made only in 1933, and is very rare [4]. The instruction sheet for this camera appears to have been prepared at the time the camera was launched as it used images of the initial version of the camera. However, this instruction sheet was supplied with the camera during its entire manufacturing period and was never updated to incorporate later design changes made to the camera. It was printed in English (as shown), or on a much larger page having the same layout of text and graphics repeated in different languages (i.e. French / German). The camera that appears in the graphics is most likely the Version I camera having the black plastic film advance knob on the upper left of the camera body (but the image lacks the star-burst pattern on the front of the camera). Univex Model A (Version II) The second 1933 model also bore the sunburst design, but the following design changes are evident; first, the lens opening is stepped, to reduce stray light reflections; second, the wind knob is made of die-cast zinc rather than plastic [4]. It has a wire-frame attached to front side of camera that then collapses on to the front of the camera. This model was called the Univex Model A “Patent Pending Model” McKeown's Price Guide (2004) [1]. Univex Model A (Version III) In the spring of 1934 a third version was release that can be easily identified by the “geometric” design, bearing stripes along the axis of the lens barrel housing. This model replaced the previous version. Additionally, the design of the molded-plastic rear sight to frame the subject has changed. Further, there was also a significant change to the film transport mechanism. The film advance knob in the Version II camera is located on the upper left of the camera when held in its picture taking position. The film is pulled from the bottom roll to the top roll when the film is advanced. However in Version III, this is rotated 180 degrees, such that the film advance knob is now located in the bottom right of the camera, presumably making it easier for a person to use the camera. This is the most common version of the design. It should be noted that this change was not reflected in an update of the instruction sheet; however this was common practice for manufactures of the inexpensive Bakelite instant cameras at the time in order to keep the costs down. Univex No. 00 Roll Film Univex #00 roll film was marketed only through the Universal Camera Corporation [3]. Their proprietary non-standard Univex #00 film was specially made under contract from 1933 to when the USA entered WW2. Gevaert’s Ultrachrome film was loaded onto Universal Camera’s special patented V-spool, packaged in Belgium and then shipped to the USA where it sold for 10 cents. When used in a Univex camera, it would hold six (6) 1 1/8 x 1 ½ inch (2.86cm x 3.81 cm) images. The Univex #00 film has a very unique film size and no other manufacturers used this spool design or this film width. It has a width of 32mm. The smallest format film offered by Kodak at the time was the VP 127 film format (having a 47mm width). Kodak’s 135 format film cassette (launched in 1934) and Kodak’s 828 format paper-backed roll film (launched in 1935), had a 35mm film width. Additionally, the V-shaped spool which fit into a V-shaped socket in the camera, was unique to Universal Camera Corp’s still cameras which all used their Univex #00 film [2]. This collection has an example of an exposed Univex #00 film as well as a number of film spools (THPC Item No. 20020427_1348097845_07 and _09). They are thought to be pre-war (circa 1933 – 1941) examples of the film. Interestingly the film spools are cast using a rather heavy metal (possibly lead or zinc), rather than being fabricated from steel sheet metal like most spools of the period. Presumably this was done to reduce costs as the complex design of the V-shaped spool would have been too difficult to fabricate using sheet metal. Choosing a casting method, they likely selected a low cost metal; however the resulting weight of the spool could have added to shipping costs. When the USA entered WWII, film shipments were suspended from Gevaert and Universal switched to packaging its film in the United States. However, after two years Universal Camera’s film production was unable to keep pace with demand [1]. Around this time Universal Camera added their Univex #00 Ultrapan Panchromatic film which sold for fifteen cents [2]. Universal Camera controlled the production as well as the distribution of the film. Although the film was inexpensive, they were unable to keep their films widely available enough to meet the needs of their consumers, which ultimately contributed to the demise of the company. References; [1] McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras (3 Volume Set), Twelfth Edition 2005-2006, Edited by James M. McKeown and Joan C. McKeown, Published September 1, 2004. Note: The information presented in the McKeown's Price Guide on these cameras was drawn from the book “The Univex Story: Universal Camera Corporation”, Cynthia Repinski, Edition First Edition, October 1, 1991, Centennial Photo Service (Publisher) [2] "Univex / Norton / Duovex and Rower" Article, Jerry Friedman, Camera Shopper Issue 142, Jan. 2004 Note: This article also draws its information from Cynthia A. Repinski's The Univex Story (Grantsburg, WI; Centennial Photo Serv., 1991) [3] SUBMIN.Com, www.submin.com/large/manuals/univex/ [4] A Jewel of a Camera: the Shady Origins of UniveX, October 27, 2009 oldcameras.wordpress.com/2009/10/27/a-jewel-of-a-camera-t... See also; camera-wiki.org/wiki/universal camera-wiki.org/wiki/Univex_Model_A #UniversalCamera, #UniversalCameraCorporation, #O.W.Githens, #J.J.Shapiro, #Univex, #UnivexModelA, #Univexfilm, #UnivexNo.00, #Univex#00, #V-Spool, #UnivexV-Spool, #Gevaert, #Ultrachromefilm, #GevaertUltrachrome, #UnivexUltrachrome, #UnivexUltrapanPanchromatic, #UltrapanPanchromatic, #subminiaturecamera, #Bakelitecamera,