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Bullet camera, 1936 - 1942

 Item
Identifier: 2008-027-1-14-3

Scope and Contents

Roll film camera; 127 film; image size 2.5 X 3.5 cm. Lens mounted on spiral threaded telescoping screw mount; lens screws into the body for storage. Designed by Walter Dorwin Teague.

Dates

  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1936 - 1942

Creator

Access

This material is open for research use by any registered reader.

Biographical / Historical

This small 127 (4 × 6 1/2 cm) camera from 1936 is a fine example of the Art Deco design motifs of the era. It is part of a family of Kodak models styled by Walter Dorwin Teague, together with the Kodak Baby Brownie and Kodak Bantam.

The design of the Bakelite Kodak Bullet is very simple. A helicoid lens barrel can retract into the body; the shutter release lever sits alongside the simple meniscus lens. To change the film, the entire back is removed. Two versions exist: one with a sliding catch on one side and a corresponding (but not functional) catch-bar on the other; the second version omits this decorative bar. There was also a version marked "New York World’s Fair" made in 1939.

The Bullet name was reused later, as the Brownie Bullet.

Extent

1 item (1 camera) : glass, metal, Bakelite ; 4 X 6.5 X 12.5 cm

Language of Materials

English

Repository Details

Part of the The University of Tulsa, McFarlin Library, Department of Special Collections & University Archives Repository

Contact:
McFarlin Library
University of Tulsa
2933 E. 6th St
Tulsa 74104-3123 USA
(918) 631-2496