Museum Of Motion Picture History, Inc

The First 16mm Projector

In January 1923 Eastman Kodak announced to the public, "that a new system of amateur film making based on a new 16 mm film size will soon be available to buy". After 8 years of research by J.G. Capstaff of the Eastman Kodak Laboratories, Kodak introduces 16 mm reversal film on acetate (safety) base and the first 16 mm projector. In May the 16 mm film and the Kodascope 16 mm projector were shown to the photographic trade and by July 5th the 16 mm equipment was being advertised in the New York newspapers. The popularity of 16 mm movies was immediate resulting in a chain of Kodak processing laboratories throughout the world. The Kodascope projector was very expensive $335.00. The average person couldn't afford it, considering a basic new Ford automobile cost $550.00 in 1923.

  <<< From the museum's collection

In the spring of 1925 Kodak begins operating KODASCOPE LIBRARIES in various parts of the country in regional offices and local camera stores. An early precursor to the videotape rental store. Kodak leased negatives of fine grain prints from a variety of Hollywood producers and made stunning amber and sepia tinted prints for rental purposes. If a person wanted to join the library, there was a fee of $25 which was refunded when the customer decided to end the service. All the features used for Kodascope prints were professionally edited . During the years the Kodascope Libraries were in business there were over 700 films in the catalogs

 ThHere is a picture that shows one with it storage cabinet and all