NO BIGGER THAN MATCHBOXES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 32, 23 May 1947, Page 6

NO BIGGER THAN MATCHBOXES

PRODUCTION OF TINY CAMERAS CLOSELY GUARDED WAR SECRET One of Eastman Kodak Company’s closely guarded war secrets was out today and camera engineers disclosed how they secretly- designed and built 1000 tiny cameras no bigger than matchboxes for use by the Office of Strategic Services and underground forces, states an American newspaper.

It could be concealed in the palm of the hand, yet was capable of turning out film that could be enlarged many diameters and still retain clarity. With the camera went a “vestpocket darkroom kit” containing several rolls of 16 mm. film, developing and fixing chemicals in concentrated pills, a small chamois for wiping the developed film dry, mixing spoon, film clips, and a pencil-size agitating stick for mixing solutions. Using this equipment, the film could be developed in a tiny receptacle holding three or four thimbles of solution.

The idea for the camera originated late in 1943 when the Office of Strategic Services sent a representative to Rochester to obtain aid from Kodak in producing a small photographic instrument to facilitate the Operations of SS agents in enemy occupied territory, and for distribution to native underground leaders. The Government agency explained that the camera would be disguised as a matchbox and would serve not only to gather intelligence, but also to provide pictures for use in various “resistance” newspapers. Early in 1944 the first shipment of the matchbox cameras was made and the factory soon completed the initial order of 500. Later OSS asked for another 500, which were finished in 1944-45.

The camera took film in coils or spools in lengths of about two feet. It produced about 30 exposures, had an f/5 lens with one stop to shut the aperture to f/11, and operated at a shutter speed of about l/50th of a second.

With a one-inch focal length, the lens had an angle view of approximately 45 degrees, which permitted picture-shooting “from the hip.” The subject was in focus from about 8 feet to infinity.