Aeroscope Camera and Hand Pump

'Aeroscope' portable 35mm cine camera with hand pump, magazine and crank handle, patented by Kazimierz Proszynski in 1910.

Patented in 1910 by the Polish engineer Kazimierz Proszynski, the Aeroscope was the first completely successful hand-held 35mm cine camera. It was powered by compressed air, and used by the British War Office, newsreel cameramen and most of the leading film companies from 1912 until the advent of sound. As the camera was 'charged' with compressed air prior to use, the camera operator did not need to turn the crank to advance the film, leaving both hands free to hold the camera and control focus. This made it possible to film with the Aeroscope in most difficult circumstances such as war zones and from airplanes. An Aeroscope camera was used by Arthur Herbert Malins to film at the Battle of the Somme.

A separate compartment could carry up to 400 feet (122 metres) of 35mm film.

Details

Category:
Cinematography
Object Number:
1949-124
Materials:
wood (unidentified), brass (copper, zinc alloy), iron, glass and leather
Measurements:
whole: .35kg
camera: 240 mm x 180 mm x 370 mm,
type:
35 mm ciné camera
credit:
The National Media Museum, Bradford

Parts

Aeroscope Cine Camera

Aeroscope Cine Camera

'Aeroscope' portable 35mm cine camera. Film magazine and crank handle, feet per second meter on side. Patented by Proszynski in 1910.

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Patented in 1910 by the Polish engineer Kazimierz Proszynski, the Aeroscope was the first completely successful hand-held 35mm cine camera. It was powered by compressed air, and used by the British War Office, newsreel cameramen and most of the leading film companies from 1912 until the advent of sound. As the camera was 'charged' with compressed air prior to use, the camera operator did not need to turn the crank to advance the film, leaving both hands free to hold the camera and control focus. This made it possible to film with the Aeroscope in most difficult circumstances such as war zones and from airplanes. An Aeroscope camera was used by Arthur Herbert Malins to film at the Battle of the Somme.

A separate compartment could carry up to 400 feet (122 metres) of 35mm film.

Hand Pump for Aeroscope camera

Hand Pump for Aeroscope camera

Brass hand pump for 'Aeroscope' portable kine camera. Triple compression pump. Pattented in England and Abroad.

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Patented in 1910 by the Polish engineer Kazimierz Proszynski, the Aeroscope was the first completely successful hand-held 35mm cine camera. It was powered by compressed air, and used by the British War Office, newsreel cameramen and most of the leading film companies from 1912 until the advent of sound. As the camera was 'charged' with compressed air prior to use, the camera operator did not need to turn the crank to advance the film, leaving both hands free to hold the camera and control focus. This made it possible to film with the Aeroscope in most difficult circumstances such as war zones and from airplanes. An Aeroscope camera was used by Arthur Herbert Malins to film at the Battle of the Somme.

A separate compartment could carry up to 400 feet (122 metres) of 35mm film.

Measurements:
overall: 480 mm x 230 mm x 84 mm,
Materials:
brass (copper, zinc alloy) , wood (unidentified) and steel (metal)
Object Number:
1949-124/2
type:
hand pump

Instruction booklet for Aeroscope camera

Instruction booklet for Aeroscope camera, c. 1913.

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Patented in 1910 by the Polish engineer Kazimierz Proszynski, the Aeroscope was the first completely successful hand-held 35mm cine camera. It was powered by compressed air, and used by the British War Office, newsreel cameramen and most of the leading film companies from 1912 until the advent of sound. As the camera was 'charged' with compressed air prior to use, the camera operator did not need to turn the crank to advance the film, leaving both hands free to hold the camera and control focus. This made it possible to film with the Aeroscope in most difficult circumstances such as war zones and from airplanes. An Aeroscope camera was used by Arthur Herbert Malins to film at the Battle of the Somme.

The booklet demonstrates the various locations in which the Aeroscope can be used.

Materials:
paper (fibre product)
Object Number:
1949-124/3
type:
instruction booklet
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London