Folding Pocket Kodak cameras

The Folding Pocket Kodaks were much smaller than the cameras from the 1890's. Most of the FPK's really fitted in a coat pocket. In US patent nr. 610.153 camera designer Frank Brownell says: “My present invention has for its object to provide a photographic camera particularly adapted for holding film in spools or rolls which is simple in construction and capable of being collapsed or folded into small compass for carrying and of being extended when used…”.
The first Folding Pocket Kodaks were designed for the snap shooting photographer, who didn't want to produce a work of art, but a souvenir of a happy moment. The camera had to be easy to use and easy to carry.
During the following years the FPK's could also be had with more versatile shutters and lenses. These were meant for the amateur who was willing to learn the basics that were needed to handle such a camera and who appreciated a higher quality result.
The Folding Pocket Kodaks were very succesful and the design was used by Kodak and many other manufacturers until the 1960's.