P3D Re: PHOTO-3D digest 2795

[Mary Ann & Wolfgang Sell <vmmasell@xxxxxxxxx>]

Dr. T wrote that he was the following:

>- First DrT in the history of stereo.
>- First owner of a commercially modified 7p stereo Realist.
>- First President/Editor of the Ohio Stereo Photographic Society. 
>- First to offer 8p modified red button stereo Realist viewers, fitted 
>  with frosted halogen bulbs.

3 of the 4 apply.  However, He is not the first owner of a commercially
modified 7p stereo Realist.  View-Master was the first to commercially 
modify a Realist camera to 7p and this was done in the early 1960's.
We have owned this camera since 1992 even did a write up about it
in the ISU magazine a few years ago. We have the blue prints
and other materials that accompanied the change over process. Interestingly
enough the camera itself belonged to William Gruber - inventor of the
View-Master system -- he gave it up to have it 
converted over.  This was "discussed" here on Photo-3D at the
time.

View-Master decided to undergo this modification because they were
beginning to have problems obtaining Verascope and Belplasca Cameras
and they like using the larger format -- it converts easier to
VM size.  Needless to say, they didn't end up going this route because
the cost and man hour factors were prohibitive.  They went whole hog
-- they even have a 1/3 advance on their model!

Although George may have the 1st modified Realist that was actually
commercially available to the public -- we have the 1st one actually
modified.  Sorry George, but 3 out of 4 ain't bad.

Mary Ann & Wolfgang Sell


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End of PHOTO-3D Digest 2796
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