Hit Cameras: Relics of Postwar Japan

Our Own Devices March 16, 2025
Video Thumbnail
Our Own Devices Logo

Our Own Devices

@ourowndevices1

About

Ever wonder how a rotary telephone works, how sailors and pilots navigated by the stars, or how mechanical calculators perform complex math using only gears? Then you've come to the right place! Our Own Devices is a channel dedicated to the fascinating world of vintage technology, and the many elegant and ingenious ways our ancestors solved even the most complex technical problems. Questions or comments? Have a fascinating device you'd like covered on the channel? Please contact me at [email protected] Want more fascinating history? I am a regular staff writer for Today I Found Out and many of its sister channels: https://www.youtube.com/@TodayIFoundOut

Video Description

Designed to use compact and affordable 17.5mm film, Hit-type cameras were first introduced in the late 1930s but became wildly popular both in Japan and North America in the immediate post-war period. Hundreds of different copies were made by dozens of manufacturers until the 1970s. 0:00 Intro 1:04 17.5mm film 1:36 Midget and Micro Cameras 2:08 Origins of the Tougodo Company 4:30 1930s Tougodo Products 5:14 WWII 6:13 Creation of the HIT 7:28 HIT and Mighty Breakdown 10:29 The HIT Craze 12:07 End of the HIT 13:17 Outro Minox Video: https://youtu.be/_tt5i-uQX8E Minox Accessories Video: https://youtu.be/fPLzWjTLQ8c Pseudo TLR Cameras Video: https://youtu.be/Yy7IdUirDXc SOURCES http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Hit-type_cameras http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Midget http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Baby_Minolta http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Mycro http://www.submin.com/17.5mm/collection/index.htm http://www.submin.com/17.5mm/collection/gemflex/index.htm http://www.submin.com/17.5mm/collection/babyflex/index.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20080516091517/http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Collecting-Hit-type-cameras http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Tougodo https://cameracollector.net/hit-type-camera-list/ http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/No-need-darkroom http://www.submin.com/17.5mm/collection/

Revive Vintage Photography Today

AI-recommended products based on this video

Loading...
KLONA Handheld Steam Cleaner, Steam Cleaner for Home with 10 Accessory Kit, Multipurpose Portable Upholstery Steamer Cleaning with Safety Lock to Remove Grime, Grease.

KLONA Handheld Steam Cleaner, Steam Cleaner for Home with 10 Accessory Kit, Multipurpose Portable Upholstery Steamer Cleaning with Safety Lock to Remove Grime, Grease.

(67)
$52.99
FREE delivery Sun, Mar 22
Loading...
Portable Steam Cleaner, Hand Held steamers for cleaning house, Home Multi Purpose-10-Piece Accessory Kit for Sofa,Carpets,Upholstery,Car,Floor,Bathroom,Mattress and More

Portable Steam Cleaner, Hand Held steamers for cleaning house, Home Multi Purpose-10-Piece Accessory Kit for Sofa,Carpets,Upholstery,Car,Floor,Bathroom,Mattress and More

(145)
$52.99
FREE delivery Wed, Jan 7
Loading...
KLONA Handheld Steam Cleaner, Steam Cleaner for Home with 10 Accessory Kit, Multipurpose Portable Upholstery Steamer Cleaning with Safety Lock to Remove Grime, Grease, and More

KLONA Handheld Steam Cleaner, Steam Cleaner for Home with 10 Accessory Kit, Multipurpose Portable Upholstery Steamer Cleaning with Safety Lock to Remove Grime, Grease, and More

(51)
$49.99
FREE delivery Mon, Jun 16
400+ bought in past month
Loading...
Rib Prep Pro Stainless Steel Rib Membrane Remover Tool, Professional BBQ Rib Skinner and Catfish Skinner Pliers, Kitchen/Grill Gadget Kit for BBQ Rib Prep, Dishwasher Safe BBQ Accessory

Rib Prep Pro Stainless Steel Rib Membrane Remover Tool, Professional BBQ Rib Skinner and Catfish Skinner Pliers, Kitchen/Grill Gadget Kit for BBQ Rib Prep, Dishwasher Safe BBQ Accessory

(0)
$18.99
$5.99 delivery Jul 2 - 22
Loading...
2025 Deep Cat Extra Large High Sides, 21. 45 x 16. 14 x 10. 43 Inches Low Entry Cat Litter Tray Litter Open Splashing Pan Easy Clean for Small Medium (Green) (Yellow, 49x35. 5x13cm)

2025 Deep Cat Extra Large High Sides, 21. 45 x 16. 14 x 10. 43 Inches Low Entry Cat Litter Tray Litter Open Splashing Pan Easy Clean for Small Medium (Green) (Yellow, 49x35. 5x13cm)

(2)
$15.99
$4.99 delivery Sep 17 - 29
Loading...
JETech Screen Protector for iPhone 17 6.3-Inch, Tempered Glass Film with Easy Installation Tool, 9H Hardness, Case-Friendly, 3-Pack
Best Seller

JETech Screen Protector for iPhone 17 6.3-Inch, Tempered Glass Film with Easy Installation Tool, 9H Hardness, Case-Friendly, 3-Pack

(45,653)
$10.99
FREE delivery Sun, Oct 19 on your first order
4K+ bought in past month
Loading...
JETech Screen Protector for iPhone 15 6.1-Inch, Tempered Glass Film with Easy Installation Tool, Case-Friendly, HD Clear, 3-Pack

JETech Screen Protector for iPhone 15 6.1-Inch, Tempered Glass Film with Easy Installation Tool, Case-Friendly, HD Clear, 3-Pack

(36,380)
$8.99
FREE delivery Wed, Aug 20 on your first order
5K+ bought in past month
Loading...
ESR 3 Pack for iPhone 16 Plus/iPhone 15 Plus Screen Protector, Tempered Glass Film with Easy Installation Tool, 9H Hardness, Military-Grade Shatterproof, Full Coverage, HD Clear, Scratch Resistant

ESR 3 Pack for iPhone 16 Plus/iPhone 15 Plus Screen Protector, Tempered Glass Film with Easy Installation Tool, 9H Hardness, Military-Grade Shatterproof, Full Coverage, HD Clear, Scratch Resistant

(42,149)
$9.89
FREE delivery Sat, Jun 14 on your first order
100+ bought in past month
Loading...
JETech Screen Protector for iPhone 16 6.1-Inch, Tempered Glass Film with Easy Installation Tool, Case-Friendly, HD Clear, 2-Pack

JETech Screen Protector for iPhone 16 6.1-Inch, Tempered Glass Film with Easy Installation Tool, Case-Friendly, HD Clear, 2-Pack

(79,996)
$8.99
FREE delivery Sat, Jun 14 on your first order
1K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Timever Women's Leather Strap Watch Dainty Elegant Womens Watches Classic Vintage Retro Square Ladies Quartz Watches Gifts Present for Her

Timever Women's Leather Strap Watch Dainty Elegant Womens Watches Classic Vintage Retro Square Ladies Quartz Watches Gifts Present for Her

(219)
$36.99
FREE delivery Thu, Jun 19
Loading...
LEGO Creator 3 in 1 Retro Camera Toy, Transforms from Toy Camera to Retro Video Camera to Retro TV Set, Photography Gift for Boys and Girls Ages 8 Years Old and Up Who Enjoy Creative Play, 31147

LEGO Creator 3 in 1 Retro Camera Toy, Transforms from Toy Camera to Retro Video Camera to Retro TV Set, Photography Gift for Boys and Girls Ages 8 Years Old and Up Who Enjoy Creative Play, 31147

(2,679)
$17.98
FREE delivery Sat, Jun 14 on your first order
900+ bought in past month
Loading...
NEEWER Zf Handgrip L Shape Grip for Nikon Z f, Ultra Thin Retro Formfitting Camera Mounting Baseplate with Handle & Aluminum Shutter Button Cap, Compatible with Arca Swiss Tripod Fluid Head, CA073

NEEWER Zf Handgrip L Shape Grip for Nikon Z f, Ultra Thin Retro Formfitting Camera Mounting Baseplate with Handle & Aluminum Shutter Button Cap, Compatible with Arca Swiss Tripod Fluid Head, CA073

(236)
$33.99
FREE delivery Thu, Jun 19 on your first order
Loading...
NEEWER CA076 Zfc Handgrip L Shape Grip for Nikon Z fc, Ultra Thin Retro Formfitting Camera Mounting Baseplate with Handle/Brass Shutter Button, Compatible with Arca Swiss Tripod Fluid Head, Black

NEEWER CA076 Zfc Handgrip L Shape Grip for Nikon Z fc, Ultra Thin Retro Formfitting Camera Mounting Baseplate with Handle/Brass Shutter Button, Compatible with Arca Swiss Tripod Fluid Head, Black

(175)
$33.99
FREE delivery Thu, Jun 19 on your first order