Autographic
Encyclopedia
The autographic system for roll film
was launched by Kodak in 1914, and allowed the photographer to add written information on the film at the time of exposure.
The system was patented by Henry Jacques Gaisman
, inventor and safety razor manufacturer. George Eastman
purchased the rights for US$300,000. It consisted of a tissue-like carbon paper sandwiched between the film and the paper backing. Text was entered using a metal stylus, and would appear in the margin of the processed print. The system was never very popular, and was discontinued in 1932.
Kodak's autographic films had "A" as the first part of the film size designation. Thus, standard 127 film would be labeled "127" and autographic 127 would be "A127". The autographic feature was marketed as having no extra charge. In 1915, Kodak also sold upgrade autographic backs for their existing cameras.
Roll film
Rollfilm or roll film is any type of spool-wound photographic film protected from white light exposure by a paper backing, as opposed to film which is protected from exposure and wound forward in a cartridge. Confusingly, roll film was originally often referred to as "cartridge" film because of its...
was launched by Kodak in 1914, and allowed the photographer to add written information on the film at the time of exposure.
The system was patented by Henry Jacques Gaisman
Henry Jacques Gaisman
Henry Jacques Gaisman was a philanthropist and inventor of a type of safety razor, the autographic camera, and over one thousand other patents which benefited common items such as swivel chairs, men's belts, and carburetors.-History:His father, Jacques Gaisman , was an immigrant originally from...
, inventor and safety razor manufacturer. George Eastman
George Eastman
George Eastman was an American innovator and entrepreneur who founded the Eastman Kodak Company and invented roll film, helping to bring photography to the mainstream...
purchased the rights for US$300,000. It consisted of a tissue-like carbon paper sandwiched between the film and the paper backing. Text was entered using a metal stylus, and would appear in the margin of the processed print. The system was never very popular, and was discontinued in 1932.
Kodak's autographic films had "A" as the first part of the film size designation. Thus, standard 127 film would be labeled "127" and autographic 127 would be "A127". The autographic feature was marketed as having no extra charge. In 1915, Kodak also sold upgrade autographic backs for their existing cameras.