I came across this glass jar at a tag sale, it looks like it was used by Kodak to ship fixer in at one time. Tried doing a Google image search but could not find any history that way, just wanted to know if anyone has any details about this interesting Kodak glass.
Kodak history Fixer glass jar
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I suspect that's something licensed by EK sometime in the last 35 years as a novelty drinking glass
MattKing
Moderator
What are the approximate dimensions and what is the capacity?
I agree that it looks like some of the branded merchandise, but I truly can't figure out who would come out with a drinking glass labelled like fixer!
I agree that it looks like some of the branded merchandise, but I truly can't figure out who would come out with a drinking glass labelled like fixer!
No company with any assets to protect would sell a drinking glass labeled like a jar of fixer "for photographic purposes only."
It's a container that may have had a crimped or other non-screw top. You may get some constraints on the date from the style of the Kodak logo and the fact that it has metric labeling. For ex, the serif "Kodak" was used from 1935 to about 1987, but the shape of the block it was embedded in changed over time (by the 1970s it was often in the stylized "K"). The metric equivalent label might mean 1960s or later, but that's a guess on my part.
It's a container that may have had a crimped or other non-screw top. You may get some constraints on the date from the style of the Kodak logo and the fact that it has metric labeling. For ex, the serif "Kodak" was used from 1935 to about 1987, but the shape of the block it was embedded in changed over time (by the 1970s it was often in the stylized "K"). The metric equivalent label might mean 1960s or later, but that's a guess on my part.
Before Zip Codes 1963 and after 1955 estar film, but that trapezoidal logo was just before and after 1963.
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Wasn't it a glass jar like that was used by Socrates to commit suicide when he had problems with split grade?
pentaxuser
That helps narrow it down a bit, thanks!
Wasn't it a glass jar like that was used by Socrates to commit suicide when he had problems with split grade?
pentaxuser
Nah, he died of an overdose of wedlock.
The fact that it has no lid or sealing mechanism makes me think it's unlikely powder was originally shipped in just this. Possibly in a separate foil lined pouch and then this was used as a mixing vessel?
Even then, most of the Kodak chemistry from this era that I have observed that was not supplied in pouches was supplied in either metal cans or brown glass jars with screw top lids. I can see no advantage to supplying them in glassware like this.
I'm inclined to agree with mshchem that this is probably some kind of novelty drinking glass, though I doubt it was made professionally, maybe by a hobbyist.
Even then, most of the Kodak chemistry from this era that I have observed that was not supplied in pouches was supplied in either metal cans or brown glass jars with screw top lids. I can see no advantage to supplying them in glassware like this.
I'm inclined to agree with mshchem that this is probably some kind of novelty drinking glass, though I doubt it was made professionally, maybe by a hobbyist.
Sodium thiosulfate and sodium sulfite (major ingredients of non-rapid fixer) are both denser than water. I don't know how that translates into the density of the packed powder.
I've not seen a Kodak container like this before, but it could have had a crimped metal top. Until recently the mole sauce I get at the supermarket came in glass jars with a crimped top, and if that's food safe against air, it's fixer safe. (Note for non-North Americans: "mole sauce" as in mole poblano is a Mexican sauce with roasted chile peppers, and is not for serving with small yard mammals.)
I've not seen a Kodak container like this before, but it could have had a crimped metal top. Until recently the mole sauce I get at the supermarket came in glass jars with a crimped top, and if that's food safe against air, it's fixer safe. (Note for non-North Americans: "mole sauce" as in mole poblano is a Mexican sauce with roasted chile peppers, and is not for serving with small yard mammals.)
Looking it up, it looks like you might be able to fit that mass of those chemicals in a 14oz jar. I was a bit doubtful when I posted my last response (edited it to be less self-assured). I don't know the exact make-up of Kodak fixer, but assuming it's at least 1.7x the density of water (and sodium sulfite is well over 2x), I guess the .74 kg could fit in the jar.
It does, however, seem like a stupid way to ship a chemical. This isn't peanut butter, after all.
MattKing
Moderator
Is there any text in the glass itself - likely in the bottom?
Like those that you can sort of see here:
Like those that you can sort of see here:
It seems like the only way we will know for sure if Kodak had used a container like this to ship fixer is if someone who worked in the Kodak factory at the time weighed in. The quality of the screen printing on the glass is very good, another reason to believe it was made by Kodak. It might have been a short production run, promotion of some sort? This could explain why there aren't any other photos online, at least that I could find using a Google Image look up.
The lack of any numbers and maker's marks on the bottom of the glass show that it was probably not manufactured for commercial use. Factory produced glass containers will hold information as to which factory produced the item, approximate production date and what mold was used.
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It's a drinking glass. I have a set; given to me by my longtime supervisor at Kodak when he retired. Along with several photo science textbooks, those from his 1960s student days at RIT.
I don't know when these glasses were made (Kodak made and sold a great deal of promotional swag over the years, and many people collect it) but most likely these glasses date from after the company changed their graphic designs in the mid-1970s.
For the record, my preferred glass to hold a gin and tonic. (Plymouth gin, 'Q' tonic water, ice, lemon twist, dash of bitters).
I don't know when these glasses were made (Kodak made and sold a great deal of promotional swag over the years, and many people collect it) but most likely these glasses date from after the company changed their graphic designs in the mid-1970s.
For the record, my preferred glass to hold a gin and tonic. (Plymouth gin, 'Q' tonic water, ice, lemon twist, dash of bitters).
Well, I will be darned. In a time (now) where well-meaning people will tell you not to use clear plastic bottles to mix photo chemicals even if you label them "chemicals do not drink," it is hard to imagine that Kodak itself once distributed drinking glasses labeled like photo chemicals.
I vaguely recall seeing a set of those being sold somewhere. reproductions of different labels from Different eras. And yes, the Kodak fixer back then was sold in a cardboard box. the developers came in a metal can, except for liquids like Versatol which came in Brown Glass Bottles.
MattKing
Moderator
IIRC, I did have some plastic bottles of Versatol developer back in the 1970s, but they were unusual.
And as that would be a 45-50 year old memory, it may be suspect!
And as that would be a 45-50 year old memory, it may be suspect!
I still have a sealed glass bottle of Versatol in the back of the cupboard. now too much of a nostagia item to test to see if it still works. I recall getting several bottles of Microdol X liquid developer on a clearance {I think from Blacks} about that time, but those I used up. (still have the empty bottles with the yellow metal caps) I think they could be diluted 1 part developer to 3 parts water.
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Liquid developers like Polydol that were used in commercial darkrooms came in cubitainers (flexible plastic container) so you could draw however many ounces you need to mix up solutions or replenishers.
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That was a time when people were given to have some horse sense. There were no labels on a folding ladders shelf saying “This is not a step!”
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