Charles Verschoor was the founder of the International Radio Corporation. In 1936 he was issued patent 2,052,261 for a lens and shutter mount for a camera, which was incorporated into the design for the Argus Model A camera, the first model of the Argus Camera Company.
More information
- Photographic technology patents: Argus A, Vintage Photo
- Radio days; Argus before cameras, James M. Surprenant
- The Argus Museum: Ann Arbor's Hidden Treasure, Henry Gambino
- The Argus Camera Company of Ann Arbor Michigan, Michigan in Pictures, March 2007
- http://www.aadl.org/gallery/buildings/hhaa047.gif.html
After furniture making ceased in 1929, Charles Verschoor acquired the building and began manufacturing his popular Kadette tabletop radios. Never one to sit on his hands, Verschoor traveled to Germany in 1936 to study camera manufacturing. When he returned, he began to mass produce a small 35mm camera -- the famous Argus Model A. The camera was an instant success, selling 30,000 units in its first week on the market. In 1939 the name of the company was changed to Argus and the Argus C-3 camera was introduced. It remained the staple of the company until 1957.
- An Erratic Genius Put Ann Arbor On The Map, Mary Hunt for the Ann Arbor News, March 23, 1975 (via Old News)
Patents
- Patent 2052261 "Photographic camera"
