Family Couch Portrait, Somewhere, USA, 1957
This spirited family portrait isn’t about the blond-framed oriental curios and paint by numbers hanging high on that very beige wall; the two-tired lampshade peeking on the right; dad’s magazine; the smiley boy; the smirky girl; or the TV guide with Phil Silvers on the cover. This slide is about the View-Master.
Considering the fact that just about every American household at one time or another has had a View-master it’s hard to believe that this is the one and only slide I’ve ever run across with one in it.
View-masters were introduced at the 1939 New York Worlds Fair. They were the modern Kodachrome, color alternative to the black and white stereoscope images that had been around since the Victorian era. Think of the transition like the moment in the Wizard of Oz when it goes from black and white to color. The Wizard of Oz came out in 1939.
View-Masters were born in the wonderful city of Portland, Oregon. They were the brainchild of a postcard manufacturer and a 3-D photographer. Originally they were sold at stationary stores and scenic attraction gift shops as an alternative to postcards. They were big success and quickly replaced the company’s postcard business.
Since the company began more than 70 years ago over 1.5 BILLION View-Master reels have been sold. WOW! Like SO many great Americana products, View-Masters are no longer made in Oregon. In 2000 the Beaverton plant closed and production moved to Mexico. ¡VIVA VIEW-MASTER!
Like most of you, I’m sure, View-Master was my introduction to the wonderful world of 3-D. Didn’t just about everyone have a View-Master?
Speaking of 3-D, please join me for my first ever 3-D slide show, CHARLES PHOENIX AND THE THIRD DIMENTION: THE BIG RETRO SLIDE SHOW + THE STORY OF 3-D IN 3-D! at 3 in the afternoon, Sunday, May 9 (Mother’s Day) and Sunday May 16th.at Los Angeles’s DOWNTOWN INDEPENDENT THEATER. Get your tix now – JUST TWO PERFORMANCES! It will be a 3-D extravaganza!
Here’s to the family on the couch, View-Master and YOU!
Charles Phoenix
April 15, 2009
Hold the train! What about that awesome blonde shelved and mirrored chotchke/trinket display with matching deep red Oriental pieces on the wall right in the center! Hasn’t anyone noticed THAT?
I have that paint by number! Plus the other that goes with it! Found them behind crappy art when I was buying a matching pair of frames at Pilgrim Place!
JACKPOT!
Lots of fun seeing these old familiar things. It’s amazing how many
households shared so many of these objects (the viewmaster, TV guide,
the framed shelves and paint by number paintings). This photo brought
back our den – and we were happy with all these things – felt we were living
the good life and weren’t we lucky.
The Viewmaster had and still has the best 3D. None of today’s overpriced movie tops it. I had no idea back then that was 3D. I just liked the way it looked. I don’t know why they don’t make them today. Back then they had all the tv shows and movies on Viewfinders. Just think what pics from Avatar would look like. Bring them back!!!
I didn’t own a viewmaster, however, I did know friends who had one. I even remember seeing viewmaster projector where you could view them on the wall. I hope to buy them for my sons when they’re old enough.
I still own a couple of Viewmasters! That’s a great slide. Maybe someone can convert IT to 3-d!
It’s the Addams family, before their makeover! See, there’s Thing on the far right!
And it’s not about that knee and hand poking into the picture on our right with a — pen? joint? — with whatever it’s holding.
Who’s hand is on the far right holding something?
I loved my ViewMaster! I remember having a disc w/ National Monuments- Mt. Rushmore and the Grand Canyon were my favorites. The thing I like about your pic is the paint by number masterpieces. Wish we could see the lamp on the left- I bet it’s cool too!
You give me a smile each week!