Auto-Graflex Camera in Underwater Housing

Auto-Graflex Camera in Underwater Housing

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Description
This underwater camera housing holds an Auto-Graflex 4x5” camera body. It was first used by W.H. Longley of Goucher College in 1918. Longley later teamed with Charles Martin of the National Geographic Society to take the first underwater color autochrome photographs with this outfit. The team exploded a pound of flash powder, floated on three pontoons, and used a reflector to take pictures off Dry Tortugas, Florida. A selection of the photographs and the story were published in National Geographic Magazine in January 1927.
From its invention in 1839, the camera has evolved to fit many needs, from aerial to underwater photography and everything in between. Cameras allow both amateur and professional photographers to capture the world around us. The Smithsonian’s historic camera collection includes rare and unique examples of equipment, and popular models, related to the history of the science, technology, and art of photography.
Object Name
camera housing, underwater
date made
1918
maker
Eastman Kodak Company. Folmer & Schwing Division
Place Made
United States: New York, Rochester
Physical Description
metal (overall material)
glass (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 54 cm x 38.5 cm x 36.5 cm; 21 1/4 in x 15 3/16 in x 14 3/8 in
ID Number
PG.004199A
catalog number
4199A
accession number
157518
Credit Line
Gift of Waldo Schmitt
See more items in
Work and Industry: Photographic History
Photography
Artifact Walls exhibit
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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