stereoscope, View Master
Date1953-1959
Inventory NumberWJ1194
ClassificationStereoscope
Subject
Manufacturer
Sawyer's Inc.
circa 1930 - 1966
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensionsstereoscope: 9.3 × 10.6 × 7.4 cm (3 11/16 × 4 3/16 × 2 15/16 in.)
box: 8.7 x 12.2 x 10.1 cm (3 7/16 x 4 13/16 x 4 in.)
box: 8.7 x 12.2 x 10.1 cm (3 7/16 x 4 13/16 x 4 in.)
Material
DescriptionBlack plastic and metal case with slit for reel insertion at top and frame advance lever at side. Case consists of roughly rectangular base with two tubular eyepieces emerging from center of base's flat surface. Eyepieces are also rectangular with clipped corners. Looking through eyepieces, a normal viewer sees a single white screen if viewer is empty. Metal assembly screws are visible, and there is a window seperate from eyepieces to view information written on reel.
In its original burgundy colored cardboard box with logos, silver color and green wavy lines on lid. Identical to WJ1193. Made after inauguration of President Dwight Eisenhower (1953) but before Alaska became a state (1959). Enclosed guide lists similar products including steroscopic camera and stock reels available in wide variety of subjects. The View Master was invented in 1939.
Besides the US patent, there are two more. One Canadian (406893) and one British (538492).
In its original burgundy colored cardboard box with logos, silver color and green wavy lines on lid. Identical to WJ1193. Made after inauguration of President Dwight Eisenhower (1953) but before Alaska became a state (1959). Enclosed guide lists similar products including steroscopic camera and stock reels available in wide variety of subjects. The View Master was invented in 1939.
Besides the US patent, there are two more. One Canadian (406893) and one British (538492).
Signedon stereoscope: Sawyer's / VIEW-MASTER
Signed "Sawyer's"
FunctionStereoscopes allow viewing of seperate images with each eye, giving 3-D illusion. Distribution by medical/scientific company and purchase by psychology laboratory suggests that they were useful for research in visual perception. However, viewer insert portrays product designed mainly for educational purpose and family entertainment, with slogan "VIEW_MASTER PICTURES ARE FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY."
As described in the beginning of the 1940 patent, "The main object of this invention is to construct a viewing device by means of which the cost of taking and showing colored pictures will be reduced to a point where they may be enjoyed by the average person without an excessive outlay."
As described in the beginning of the 1940 patent, "The main object of this invention is to construct a viewing device by means of which the cost of taking and showing colored pictures will be reduced to a point where they may be enjoyed by the average person without an excessive outlay."
ProvenancePsychology Department, William James Hall, Harvard University.
Zeiss-Aerotopograph
Date: circa 1950
Accessories: instrument is in original wood storage/carrying case. listed accessories: base plate, mirrors (2) and tubular holders (2), anchors (2), prism yoke, monocular adapter, lighting set with bulbs (3, one currently in lamp, its box in box of 2009-1-0002b), 2 monoculars (4 or 6 power) [6x24 (infinite) L or R Zeiss aerotopo logo), "fork"-shaped support (V rather), green filters (2) , dioptre lenses (2), strabismus-correcting lenses (2), photo holder, permanent magnets (8)
Object number: 2009-1-0002a
Q - O - S Corporation
Date: circa 1940
Accessories: wood storage case painted army green
Object number: 2009-1-0003
Advertising Displays, Inc.
Date: 1950-1960
Accessories: screw driver; carrying case
Object number: 2003-1-0144
Nikon Corporation
Date: circa 1970
Accessories: Nikon HKW 10x eyepieces (2); Nikon objectives (3): phase DLL 10 #35974, phase DLL20 # 45965, 4x plan #44894; Unitron phase objective DM 10x # 7087; phase telescope
Object number: 2003-1-0031
Spencer Lens Company
Date: circa 1928
Accessories: objectives (4): 4.8x and low power; large diameter oculars (2): 9x; large universal stand
Object number: 1373