THE NEGATIVES

In 1914 Eastman Kodak introduced the 3A Autographic camera. "3A" was code for the film format: 122 roll film that produced huge "postcard" sized negatives 5-1/2" wide by 3-1/4" tall, which is not much smaller than traditional 4x5 sheet film.

The "Autographic" referred to the ability to impress with a stylus on the edge of the negative through a window on the back of the camera to identify the shot (like "Grand Canyon, July 14, 1915"). The impression would then show up on the developed negative which then could be printed as "postcard."

122 size film was produced from 1903 until it was discontinued in 1971.