raid
Dad Photographer
After months of additional investigation, I may be getting close to communicating with another family member of the inventor Douglas Winnek. For some reason, it did not work out when exchanging a couple of emails with Winnek's son, Kelly [I thought "Kelly" was his daughter]. To make the story short, he thought that contacting PBS to have an investigation on the WWII camera would be exploitive.
New Stuff:
I was contacted by a gentleman last August about the camera. He was working with Winnek until his death, and they took photos together with innovative 3D cameras based on the Lenticular screen. Witout revealing the gentleman's identity, here is his email to me:
I stumbled upon your posts concerning the radioactivity of a lens you own. It's the Tri-Vision lens of Doug Winnek's. I worked with him for 15 years before his death in 1999. We worked with 2 large format 3D cameras he built, the 1st 11x14, then the 8x10 which I now own, photo attached. It's a modified view camera designed to travel on a track while exposing a sheet of film through a travelling grating.
I am familiar with the Tri-Vision camera, but have never seen one. It exposed images directly onto pre-sensitized lenticular negative material. The wide apeture lens allows some "look-around" in the scene. It was a 2-step process: the images had to be printed onto special material to reverse the "pseudo stereo" (inside out) back to normal stereo. It's one of his many inventions that were patented, some 37 or so to his name. We actually reproduced the cameras operation in his studio in the Carmel Valley using an Eastman 36" f 8.
I would be interested to know how you came upon that Lens/Camera. I am currently working with the 8x10 camera, and have dozens of beautiful 8x10 transparencies in my portfolio from the years with Doug and his wife Nora. We photographed still life, portraiture, architecture, landscapes, and did research on 3D MRI and computer imaging.
The email above was sent to me last summer a I was overseas, and it slipped through my email filtering and sorting until I discovered it recently. I then emailed this gentleman, but he did not respond to my email.
I also contacted MIT and the Strobe Alley, as one of the research labs is known for. This approach did not lead to new information, after several researchers at MIT tried to connect me with individuals who might know about the work/history of this camera.
The PBS associate producer who initially wanted to investigate my camera suddenly changed divisions, and another Assoc. producer "may" look at the potential project now. It looks like a deadend to me.
A sudden posting at some website resulted in getting the possibility to email Winnek's daughter [not "Kelly"]. I hope that she will be able to shed some additional light on the history of the camera.
I will keep you posted.
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raid
Dad Photographer
The whole issue is whether I can get good information regarding the possible use of this camera during the Japan hit with atomic bombs.
From an earlier thread:
I once received an email saying: "Your camera is # 11 of 15 used to support the Manhattan Project tests and then used for reconnaissance missions before the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The same camera was used on a preflight over Hiroshima on the Enola Gay several days before the actual bombing of that city. It was not, however, on that particular mission. Camera X was on that mission.
Ashworth was trained to use the Trivision camera by my Dad at the Philadelphia Naval Yard's Naval Experimental Photgraphic Lab before he went to Tinian Island in preparation of the bombing missions.
According to my Dad's diary, all 15 cameras were returned to the Navy's Experimental photographic Lab in Philadelphia by 1946. "
From an earlier thread:
I once received an email saying: "Your camera is # 11 of 15 used to support the Manhattan Project tests and then used for reconnaissance missions before the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The same camera was used on a preflight over Hiroshima on the Enola Gay several days before the actual bombing of that city. It was not, however, on that particular mission. Camera X was on that mission.
Ashworth was trained to use the Trivision camera by my Dad at the Philadelphia Naval Yard's Naval Experimental Photgraphic Lab before he went to Tinian Island in preparation of the bombing missions.
According to my Dad's diary, all 15 cameras were returned to the Navy's Experimental photographic Lab in Philadelphia by 1946. "
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raid
Dad Photographer
Lates news is that the US Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola Florida is interested in displying the camera at the museum. I will let you know when I have more definite news on the museum.
raid
Dad Photographer
I had a great meeting today with the Director of the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola (and with a historian). We discussed a possible donation of the camera to the museum.
They already found a proto type of the A bomb, and they think that "my camera" has immense historical value on USA and WWII. They may be able to check out the Roosevelt archives to see if the visit by Winnek and the Commander of the Enola Gay to President Roosevelt was documented.
Anyways, I may get an IRS tax deduction for it. I am not after the money or I would have sold it to some museum in Japan. I want to see the camera with its history being displayed in Pensacola.
They already found a proto type of the A bomb, and they think that "my camera" has immense historical value on USA and WWII. They may be able to check out the Roosevelt archives to see if the visit by Winnek and the Commander of the Enola Gay to President Roosevelt was documented.
Anyways, I may get an IRS tax deduction for it. I am not after the money or I would have sold it to some museum in Japan. I want to see the camera with its history being displayed in Pensacola.
Gumby
Veteran
Nice .
raid
Dad Photographer
It is tempting to try to sell the camera to some other museum for a large sum, but money comes and goes.
What would you do (honestly)? Donate the camera or sell it to a museum?
It is the camera that took the photos that were used to decide where to drop the two A bombs. It is also a patented US 3D camera based on a film that is modified to give 3D images.
Would it be greed to sell the camera? Would it be smart to sell the camera?
What would you do (honestly)? Donate the camera or sell it to a museum?
It is the camera that took the photos that were used to decide where to drop the two A bombs. It is also a patented US 3D camera based on a film that is modified to give 3D images.
Would it be greed to sell the camera? Would it be smart to sell the camera?
victoriapio
Well-known
fascinating camera raid. i cant advise you on whether to sell or not but it is a legacy object and if the donation includes acknowledging you and your family that is something to consider. If the money is enough for a few m9\m10s then that would be very appealing to me 
But this camera played a significant role in history and if you feel like a donation puts this camera in a proper place of honor, you will not get an argument from me. Good luck on your decision.
But this camera played a significant role in history and if you feel like a donation puts this camera in a proper place of honor, you will not get an argument from me. Good luck on your decision.
raid
Dad Photographer
I would need to build up a stronger body of evidence about its history. It is the first US 3D camera, but I need the diary in which tne details are given.
Gumby
Veteran
I'd answer the following question first: Is there a museum that is willing to buy it rather than accepting it as a donation?
If the answer is 'yes' then I'd consider that option if I did not want a specific (poorer) instituion have it. It is not greed, it is business. To be honest, I have much more interest in it as a 3-D camera than as an artifact associated with the bombs.
Gumby
Veteran
p.s Enola Gay (the aircraft) is at the Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian. They might like it too.
raid
Dad Photographer
That part is documented very well. I have the internet sketches in the patent by Douglas Winnek. In fact, this part leaves no mystery at all.
I was once contacted by the Director of ("the only 3D museum in the USA").
raid
Dad Photographer
They have zillions of items in storage, with no chance of being displayed. Would they actually pay anything?
Gumby
Veteran
I doubt it.
I Love Film
Well-known
Why is it greed to sell it?
You found it, researched it, documented it.
Antique dealers, speculators, dealers, collectors all make money and all are entitled to it.
You found it, researched it, documented it.
Antique dealers, speculators, dealers, collectors all make money and all are entitled to it.
FalseDigital
BKK -> Tokyo
I would sell it and donate a large chunk of money to a Japanese charity.
Gumby
Veteran
You know about this, right?
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=84614846
Monterey County Herald, CA Nov. 27, 1999
Douglas F. Winnek, photographic engineer and inventor, died Nov. 16 at his home in Carmel Valley. He was 92. Born Jan. 10, 1907, in Eau Claire, Wis., he had lived in Carmel Valley for 18 years. With only 11 years of education, Mr. Winnek was a self-taught engineer. He received 34 patents in 3-D photography, X-ray technology and television and was granted his last patent when he was 90. He also was a civilian researcher and adviser to the U.S. Navy and was listed in “Who’s Who of American Inventors.” He was a member of the Rotary Club. Mr. Winnek is survived by his wife, Eleanor P. Winnek; a sister, Alberta Rosenheck; seven children, Doug Winnek, Mary Carol Fairbanks, Delight Ortiz, Ford McGean, Sherrill Kirsch, Hollis Hume and Blythe Silva; one step-daughter, Karen Wright; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A private family memorial has been held. His ashes will be scattered Dec. 29. Mission Mortuary of Monterey is in charge of arrangements.
Copyright (c) 2008 The Monterey County Herald
WINNEK DOUGLAS FREDWILL 1907 01 10 WINNEK MALE WI MONTEREY 1999 11 16 110038794 92
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=84614846
Monterey County Herald, CA Nov. 27, 1999
Douglas F. Winnek, photographic engineer and inventor, died Nov. 16 at his home in Carmel Valley. He was 92. Born Jan. 10, 1907, in Eau Claire, Wis., he had lived in Carmel Valley for 18 years. With only 11 years of education, Mr. Winnek was a self-taught engineer. He received 34 patents in 3-D photography, X-ray technology and television and was granted his last patent when he was 90. He also was a civilian researcher and adviser to the U.S. Navy and was listed in “Who’s Who of American Inventors.” He was a member of the Rotary Club. Mr. Winnek is survived by his wife, Eleanor P. Winnek; a sister, Alberta Rosenheck; seven children, Doug Winnek, Mary Carol Fairbanks, Delight Ortiz, Ford McGean, Sherrill Kirsch, Hollis Hume and Blythe Silva; one step-daughter, Karen Wright; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A private family memorial has been held. His ashes will be scattered Dec. 29. Mission Mortuary of Monterey is in charge of arrangements.
Copyright (c) 2008 The Monterey County Herald
WINNEK DOUGLAS FREDWILL 1907 01 10 WINNEK MALE WI MONTEREY 1999 11 16 110038794 92
rlouzan
Well-known
Raid,
Directors, curators get paid and so should you ... that is why most photographers are lousy businessmen.
Your name should also be exhibited next to the camera.
Regards,
Robert
Directors, curators get paid and so should you ... that is why most photographers are lousy businessmen.
Your name should also be exhibited next to the camera.
Regards,
Robert
Gumby
Veteran
I totally agree, but my experience is that museums are like churches -- double standards regarding who gets paid and how much. In general, though, I believe it is fairly customary to forfeit public attribution if an item is sold vs being donated. Unless one "funds a wing" of course... then the wing gets named after the donor. The paper trail of ownership, of course, is very important part of historical preservation and that seems to always get preserved.