See more objects with the tag streamlined, electronic, hobbyists, industrial design, portable, plastic, photography, bakelite, packaging, camera.

See more objects with the color darkgrey wheat darkslategrey goldenrod dimgrey or see all the colors for this object.

Object Timeline

1934

  • Work on this object began.

2014

2015

2016

2025

  • You found it!

Baby Brownie Camera and Packaging Camera

This is a camera. It was designed by Walter Dorwin Teague and manufactured by Eastman Kodak Company. It is dated ca. 1934 and we acquired it in 2014. Its medium is bakelite (tm), metal, glass; cardboard. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

The design for the Kodak Baby Brownie presented a challenge for Walter Dorwin Teague. Kodak’s goals were to draw a new mass market to photography and Teague's resulting design is a picture of simplicity. The compact black body is composed of molded Bakelite, and a series of Art Deco ribs encircles the camera's contoured form. The Kodak Baby Brownie was wildly popular, and Teague’s thrifty yet sufficiently modern design is a significant factor in its success.

This object was donated by George R. Kravis II. It is credited Gift of George R. Kravis II.

This object has not been digitized yet.
  • Model 566 Radio, 1934
  • mirrored glass, chrome-plated metal, painted wood, woven textile.
  • Gift of George R. Kravis II.
  • 2018-22-1
  •
  • Plus 126 Camera
  • molded plastic.
  • Gift of Barry Friedman and Patricia Pastor.
  • 1986-99-25
  •

Our curators have highlighted 4 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:

  • 1A Gift Kodak Camera And Box
  • leather-covered metal, chrome-plated and enameled metal, glass (camera);....
  • Gift of George R. Kravis II.
  • 2015-41-2-a,b

Its dimensions are

H x W x D: 8 x 8.5 x 7.3 cm (3 1/8 x 3 3/8 x 2 7/8 in.)

Cite this object as

Baby Brownie Camera and Packaging Camera; Designed by Walter Dorwin Teague (American, 1883–1960); Manufactured by Eastman Kodak Company (United States); USA; bakelite (tm), metal, glass; cardboard; H x W x D: 8 x 8.5 x 7.3 cm (3 1/8 x 3 3/8 x 2 7/8 in.); Gift of George R. Kravis II; 2014-25-4-a,b

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Energizing the Everyday: Gifts From the George R. Kravis II Collection.

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

For higher resolution or commercial use contact ArtResource.

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/68731017/ |title=Baby Brownie Camera and Packaging Camera |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=11 February 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>