View-master, model F

A View-master, model F, lighted 3D transparency viewer, made of compression moulded phenol formaldehyde. Designed by Charles 'Chuck' Harrison in 1958 whilst working at the design company Robert Podall Associates, it was produced between 1959-1966, and was the last View-master to be made from PF. Running on two standard 'C' batteries that were inserted in the base with a coin twist operation, the viewer could also be powered by electricity via a transformer. The light bar on the top had to be depressed with one hand whilst the other hand controlled the reel advance lever, the picture being viewed at 5.5 times magnification. Manufactured by Sawyer's in both the US and Belgium, this example being the latter, it is complete with its original box, instruction leaflet and two reels - 166 Marine Studios (made in Belgium) and 1631 Venice II (made in the US). The View-master system was invented in the late 1930s as an improved 'stereoscope', superseding the ones that had been popular at the turn of the century.

moulded: "Lighted Stereo Viewer. Sawyer's View-Master" (Rear)

AIBDC : 009275