 |
Richard S.
approximately 1938 or 1939 |
Many old photos were taken outside because it was easier than using the flash attachment. The flash attachment was usually a silver cone on a bar that was secured to the side of the camera. A flash bulb (many were clear but later some were blue) was placed in the middle of the cone. Sometimes the bulb was a dud, and other times it flashed prematurely when the bulb was inserted in the cone. It took patience to use a flash attachment. The flash bulb was invented in the 1930s
I remember when flash "cubes" were introduced in the 1960s. The cubes contained four small bulbs, and the cube automatically rotated to the next bulb when a photo was taken.
Electronic flashes were used widely in the 1970s and 1980s.
Do you remember using flash bulbs or flash cubes when taking photos?
I remember flash cubes. I think I used a Kodak camera just like the one in the photo.
ReplyDeleteI'm old enough to remember both. Now I have a hot shoe flash ....makes everything SO much easier.
ReplyDeleteYes, I too remember these....so glad for the improvements in this area.
ReplyDeleteI remember both. The first camera that was actually mine had the cube, but my parents' earlier camera had the bulbs. I hated them.
ReplyDeleteThat's really a cute picture of your brother!
ReplyDeleteYes, I remember using both the bulbs and flash cubes. This takes me back to the day, for sure. The digital age has sure changed everything dramatically.
It was my job as a little girl to "pop" the flash blub into the cone. None of them ever flashed early so my dad said I had a knack for it. I was so proud! You have brought up some great memories Nancy! Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteYes my Mom had a brownie camera with the round bulbs and a flash attachment. I had a camera that took the Magic Cubes... sometimes they were duds. Photography has come a long way:)
ReplyDeleteYES!! I RECALL THE flash bulbs. I still prefer available light to flash, but sometimes you have to use the flash.
ReplyDeleteNancy I keep meaning to say how much I love your old sewing machine for the Wyoming Breezes header
Oh yes! I used to love watching the cube spin around. When I was a child, my parents had an old Brownie. Well, I guess it wasn't old then. Anyway, it didn't have a flash, or they lost it. So most of our pictures are outside with us squinting into the sun. If mom wanted to take a picture in the house, she put all the pole lamps behind her.
ReplyDeleteNo... the Kodak 110 or whatever the long, slim camera with the built-in flash was is the first I really remember. I recall seeing the cubes in a drawer or somewhere, but that's as close as it got.
ReplyDeleteSure do, and it seemed like you never had one with you when you needed it! Aren't digital cameras great? It used to take us ages to work through a roll of film, and now we take a whole bunch in several minutes. Kids won't ever remember having to wait to see the developed photos, will they?
ReplyDelete