Think enlarger, think Kodak, think Hobbyist!
Toronto. Post WW2, Kodak made goods to be all things photographic ensuring any new comer to the hobby would automatically think ‘Kodak’ when outfitting his/her camera, darkroom, studio, etc.
Enlargers were no exception. In the early 1950 ad shown, Kodak advertised its ‘Kodak Hobbyist’ enlarger and accessories. Popular at the time were fluorescent lights and the so-called ‘cold light’ enlarger using a circular tube and a specially shaped and painted enlarger head to produce an overall even illumination.
The touted benefit of cold lighting was the elimination of dust spots on the negative – those missed by any careful cleaning process. Traditional lighting used a condenser and a bright point source light that boosted contrast, print resolution, and any pesky bits of dust on the tiny negative.
A tip of the hat goes to that energetic researcher and very good friend, George Dunbar, for discovering and sharing this ad with us.
NB. The post title is the name of one of Chester Gould’s Dick Tracy comic villains (and the look of Kodak’s enlarger head)!
