Ad for ill-fated IRIS “minicam” camera using special film.
Toronto. After the minicam revolution took off, some camera makers tried to ‘fake’ their products as great minicams. Univex in the States tried a number of different models and business plans (guessing this from models and ads).
For the Iris camera, Univex decided to try a “Gillette Razor” business plan – use customized film made exclusively for use in the Univex Iris.
Great idea, bad timing. The company chose Gevaert in Belgium to make the film. In the fall of 1939, WW2 began and by 1941 America was at war too. Previously, Gevaert had combined with Agfa and Agfa (German owned) was seized as an enemy company. Good-bye Gevaert. Good-bye special film. Good-bye Iris sales.
Camera collectors may enjoy this site about camera patents (indirectly, it has somewhat confusing links to patents awarded to various camera makers – be careful on the downloads) and this pdf of patent 110,028 dated June 7, 1938 granted to Universal Camera for the outward design of their ill-fated Univex Iris.
A big thanks to good friend, George Dunbar, for sharing the above Popular Mechanics ad from its January, 1939 issue.
