Autographic Camera: The Original Metadata

I collect all kinds of cameras, including film cameras, digital cameras, and video cameras. I enjoy everything from the nostalgia of shooting with these cameras to the creative product design over the decades. At Chaos to Memories we’re all about preserving and sharing memories, so one of my favorite cameras in my collection is this Kodak camera from around 1916. It might not look all that unique, but it includes a special feature for preserving memories.

This Kodak folding camera was introduced around 1916 with a classic bellows design and stunning details around the front of the lens. It uses 130 format film which makes real photo postcard prints about 3″ x 5″. But what makes this camera really special is that it used autographic film and included a small metal stylus. Photographers could open a small door on the back of the camera and use the stylus to record the date and subject of the photograph on this special film. When the print was made these handwritten notes would appear on the edge of the print. It’s one of the first examples of “embedded metadata” for photographs and inspiration for how we organize photos today!

This camera used 130 format film which makes real photo postcard prints that were about 3″ x 5″. But what makes this camera really special is that it used autographic film and included a small metal stylus. Photographers could open a small door on the back of the camera and use the stylus to record the date and subject of the photograph on this special film. When the print was made, the handwritten notes would appear on the edge of the print.

This Kodak folding camera was introduced around 1916 with a classic bellows design and stunning details around the front of the lens. It uses 130 format film which makes real photo postcard prints about 3″ x 5″. But what makes this camera really special is that it used autographic film and included a small metal stylus. Photographers could open a small door on the back of the camera and use the stylus to record the date and subject of the photograph on this special film. When the print was made these handwritten notes would appear on the edge of the print. It’s one of the first examples of “embedded metadata” for photographs and inspiration for how we organize photos today!

This is one of the first examples of “embedded metadata” for photographs and an inspiration for how we organize photos today!

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