Title

Creation Date

Materials

Dimensions

1.5 in W x 1 in D x 29.5 in L

The 29.5 in length includes chain with not chain it is 3.75 in long.

Maker's Mark

Description

It is an 8X11 Minox Model A with the Minox company label on back.  Below that is the text Wetzlar which indicates that it was made in the Allied portion of Germany. Used by Fred Fretheim in his work as a U.S. Army Intelligence Officer.  The camera itself also includes a red leather case with a chain and small red leather piece on the end with a hole most likely to clip over a button on the user's clothing.

The company itself was founded in 1945 by Walter Zapp in Minox's history is marked by innovation and the development of subminiature cameras that became iconic in the world of photography. Founded in 1945 by Walter Zapp, Minox initially produced a subminiature camera in 1922 and later a more compact version in 1936. The company's headquarters were established in Wetzlar, Germany, and it became known for its espionage cameras, particularly during the Cold War. Minox's cameras were so compact that they could be used for espionage, with the CIA and Soviets both utilizing Minox cameras from WWII to the late 1990s. 

Contact the Bloomington Historical Society for more information