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Cindy Motz showed this photograph in her presentation. An early example of electric motor driven dental drills in the days before patient privacy

Toronto. We had a wonderful Show and Tell session on Wednesday the 21st. After the issues with Eventbrite we decided to go ZOOM only with a notice  posted to all on our MailChimp list.

Six people presented items from their collection while we watched and asked questions. Prior to the Show and Tell, president Clint held the annual business meeting (actually for 2023 as we did not hold a meeting in December).

Jeri Danyleyko kicked things off by showing a cherished Kodak Folder assembled in Canada from a design and parts made in Rochester. A similar camera was subject to part of an article in the previous journal issue (49-3). Jeri noted her model used 620 film – a standard based on the universal 120 film, but using a thick wooden core for the spindle instead of the narrow metal core.

Cindy Motzenbecker was next showing a series of recent photo acquisitions. These were a mix of interior (mainly bars, pool rooms, drug stores, liquor stores, and businesses like dentists) and exterior shots taken around the year 1900 plus or minus a decade or two. The photograph at left is courtesy of Cindy and shows an early use of electricity to run the drills. Like large dental facilities today, there are more than a single chair but unlike today, in one room with little privacy. The title is a bit facetious since very likely there was a wait time with or without an appointment.

David Bridge displayed a book called “Camera Conversations” written in the late 1930s by “Jay” (Thomas George Jaycocks) giving the neophyte Canadian photographer hints on how to do the art. The only camera mentioned is a Leica used by the author to take the included illustrations. David found information on the book and its author slim. He bought the book from a seller who charged a rate based on the size of the book, not its content, age, condition or value (it was in the $10 category).

Mark Singer spoke about how he decided on the 9.5mm amateur movie equipment, showing various cameras and films including those offered by Pathè. He said that manually cranked Pathè cameras took two turns per second to create the standard number of frames per second (Frenchmen hummed/sang the “Marseillaise” to do the requisite turns smoothly). Mark said in passing that the actual frame size in 9.5mm films was closer to 16mm than 8mm since the only sprocket holes were up the middle (8mm was actually 16mm flipped over in the camera and slit and joined during processing to make the single edge aligned sprocket holes).

Clint Hryhorijiw displayed a clever “flash” gadget that predated the flash bulb. A “gun handle” like device, it took a charge of Magnesium powder. Pulling the trigger opened the top brass door, then scratched the flint across steel creating sparks and igniting the powder in a brilliant (and dangerous) flash of smoke and bright light. One wag suggested it was the source of the name “flash gun”…

Lorne Shields wrapped up the session with a display of special bicycles and bicycle themed picture frames. The bicycles were unusual in that they were intended to be ridden by many at once. Eschewing the bicycle and bicycle built for two, a three person bicycle was shown, followed by a four, five … ten person bicycle and more. In each case Lorne explains who made the contrivance and why. He mentioned speaking in the Buffalo library last year via ZOOM to an audience of 500 people!

Even after the formal meeting there were interesting discussions – including the argument that strips of paper negatives were precursors to modern day films. All in all, the event, pulled together at the last minute was very successful and enjoyed by the attendees.