Vest Pocket Kodak

The Vest Pocket Kodak, also called the Soldier's Kodak, was a small and easy-to-carry camera made by Eastman Kodak. It was introduced in April 1912 and made until 1934. Because it used 127 film, it was smaller than other cameras of the time that used 120 film or larger sheets of film.

When closed up, the Vest Pocket Kodak measured about 12 by 6.3 by 2.7 centimeters, or 4.7 by 2.5 by 1.1 inches. This made it small enough to fit into a vest pocket, which is why it was called the Vest Pocket Kodak. Many people liked using it because it was portable and simple to use.

Design

The Vest Pocket Kodak had a simple design with a lens on a flat part that you could pull out from the body, sealed by a special covering called a bellows. Different lenses were offered, and some versions were called "Vest Pocket Kodak Special". At the time, other popular cameras like the Houghton Ensignettes used slightly different film sizes, but the Vest Pocket Kodak became more popular. Houghton then made a similar 127-film model called the Vest Pocket Ensign.

The first version of the Vest Pocket Kodak had a rectangular front lens that extended using a special mechanism. When closed, the camera was small enough to fit in a pocket, about 12×6.3×2.7 cm (4.7×2.5×1.1 in). It captured images that were 2+1⁄2×1+5⁄8 in (6.4×4.1 cm) on film. It had different shutter speeds and special settings to control how blurry or clear the picture was. Ads highlighted how small and easy it was to carry, so you’d always be ready to take pictures.

In 1914, a new type of film called Autographic was introduced, which let photographers write notes directly on the film. Autographic versions of the Vest Pocket Kodak became popular and were sold until 1926. The camera was also known as "The Soldier's Kodak" because it was marketed to soldiers for its durability. About two million of these cameras were sold before the original version was discontinued in 1926.

The Model B version, introduced in 1925, had several updates, including a new folding design and a circular front lens standard. Special colored versions were made for groups like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. The Series III version, introduced in 1926, had prominent "KODAK" branding on the lens support. Both the Model B and Series III were sold until 1934.

The basic models usually had a simple lens with a focal length of 75 mm. Faster lenses with longer focal lengths were also available, including several different types from various manufacturers.

Notable users

Frank Hurley, the official photographer for Sir Ernest Shackleton's 1914 Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, saved a VPK and some film when their ship, the Endurance, sank. He used it to take pictures of the group's journey back to safety.

A VPK was taken on the 1924 British Mount Everest expedition. It might show if climbers George Mallory and Andrew Irvine reached the top, but the camera has never been found.