The View-Master is a device for viewing seven 3-D images (also known as Stereo Images) on a paper reel. Considered today as a classic toy, it was once marketed to the whole family.
View-Master was first introduced at the New York World's Fair of 1939. Intended as an alternative to the postcard with 7 3D Kodachrome images, it was originally marketed through photo shops, stationary stores and scenic attraction gift shops.
The View-Master system was invented by William Gruber , an organ maker and avid photographer who lived in Portland, Oregon. He had the idea to use the old idea of the stereoscope and update it with the new Kodachrome color film that had just hit the market. There are actually 14 images; two of them are viewed simultaneously, one for each eye, thus creating the illusion of depth. A chance meeting with Harold Graves , the president of Sawyer's, Inc. (a company that specialized in picture postcards) got the idea off the ground and quickly took over the postcard business at Sawyer's.
Over the years 3D reels have been produced for Disneyland, many TV shows, Movies (such as E.T. and Jurassic Park) and even for the US military for airplane/ship identification and range estimation.
External links
More information on View-Master can be found at the following web sites:
and:
