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EARLY FLASH

unnamed powder flash, UK?  1900

Those kind of flash were very popular and made with many variations and sizes:
The magnesium powder was poured into the pan. the flash was held upright and in the right moment the trriger was pushed: making sparks which will ignite the powder.
the same method to be used later in the Agfa BlitzLampe (described down in that page)



Magnesium Ribbon Holders,  1910s

Metal containers with magnesium ribbon inside. That was not flash-light : The ribbon burnt slowly thus producing extra light for the picture-taking.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Light the Magnesium ribbon.
2. Let it glow while you take the picture (using the camera...).
3. For more light or for longer time: turn the thumb-wheel and more ribbon will come out of the holder.

FLASH CARTRIDGES

Magnesium powder in small wooden cartridges  and a fuse
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Place the cartridge on a support, higher then the camera. On one side of it
2. remove the cover of the cartridge
3. Ignite the fuse with a match
4. The flash will light an object up to 30 feet. For shorter distance, use less powder

EASTMAN spreader Cartridge Flash Pistol

 A metal flash, wood handle and a leather part to protect the holding hand from being burned when the flash explodes!

AGFA BlitzLampe (flash), GERMANY  c1909

A relative small powder flash with a spiral which rotates a steel wheel against a Pyrophpren metal. The sparks set off the flash powder and BOOM.... (OOOPS...too much powder...)
From the manual:
1. Wind the key.
2. Fill in the tray about 3 grammes of flash powder.
3. Hold the lamp with the tray (filled with the powder) turned away from sight.
4. Pull down the trigger with the thumb.
5. The flash will occur immediatly.
Well, Not to mention you need your second hand to hold the camera and take the picture...syncronized with the flash...sounds not very easy...


The BLITZLICHT  powder-flash ,  GERMANY,  1920s

A simple,  single-use powder-flash (like a "tea bag" that holds the powder)
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Hang the bag on a high place (like a tree) facing the object you want to photograph.
2. Light the long paper-tail using a match.
3. Shoot the picture when the powder in the bag "explodes" with light


KLARAT flash gun ,  USA,  1940-50

That's a typical "modern" flash gun. to be used for fast shooting and reloads with a press camera (like the GRAFLEX)