Dean M. Peterson
Encyclopedia
Dean McCormack Peterson (1931–2004) was an American inventor, responsible for two of consumer photography’s largest revolutions: the Kodak Instamatic
camera, introduced in 1963, and the panoply of “point-and-shoot” cameras introduced in the late 1970s. Both of these inventions had a huge impact on consumer photography, and nearly every snapshot taken since the mid-1960s, and virtually every photo of any kind since the 1980s, have benefited from Peterson’s pioneering work.
. He graduated from Aberdeen Central High School (South Dakota) in 1950 and attended Northern State College for two years before transferring to the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
. He went to work for Eastman Kodak after earning a BS from Mines in 1954, marrying his high school sweetheart and serving two years in the Army at the end of the Korean War. He later received a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Rochester
(in 1963).
camera at Eastman Kodak
in the 1960s heralded an unprecedented explosion in amateur snapshot photography. With over 70 million units sold by 1970, there were very few American households without an Instamatic
. Based on the simple idea that loading and unloading the film in a camera ought to be a one-step process, the development of the drop-in film cartridge and a line of easy-to-use cameras for it created a phenomenon. Not since George Eastman
’s introduction of roll film had there been such a sales spike in the photo industry.
, off-the-film metering, auto-film-advance and built-in self-quenching electronic flash: all were featured on the “Project Beehive” camera developed by Peterson and his team of engineers and introduced by Honeywell
at photokina
in 1972. The technologies from the “beehive” camera continue to resonate throughout the photography, digital photography, cinematography and video industries. Honeywell never introduced the camera to the market, but successfully sued other camera manufacturers who did so for infringement of Peterson's autofocus and light metering patents.
, the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, the Society of Plastics Engineers
and the Triangle Fraternity
of Engineers and Architects. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
in 2000 and was named to Aberdeen Central’s Hall of Fame in 2007, together with former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle
and Apollo spacecraft guidance system designer John Miller.
Toys, their childproof audiocassette recorder and phonograph player, both introduced in the early 1980s. He designed a number of important advanced products for the medical industry, and developed a variety of patented methods for improving manufacturing processes, saving manufacturers tens of millions of dollars over the course of his career. He developed the only successful 3D consumer camera, the first high-speed video camera for scientific motion analysis, and provided the mechanical design for the world’s first tablet computer. Overall, nearly 50 patents bear his name.
Throughout his life, Dean’s recreational passions were fly-fishing and golf. Given his personality and talents, it isn’t surprising that he invented advanced products for both. According to Peterson, his favorite invention was the Morgan Reel, a single-action fly reel named after his father-in-law, Morgan Drake, featuring a unique, infinitely-variable drag mechanism which can never be damaged by sand or grit, superior ergonomics, and the ability to operate either with the characteristic “click” familiar in most fly reels or completely silently.
Instamatic
The Instamatic was a series of inexpensive, easy-to-load 126 and 110 cameras made by Kodak beginning in 1963. The Instamatic was immensely successful, introducing a generation to low-cost photography and spawning numerous imitators....
camera, introduced in 1963, and the panoply of “point-and-shoot” cameras introduced in the late 1970s. Both of these inventions had a huge impact on consumer photography, and nearly every snapshot taken since the mid-1960s, and virtually every photo of any kind since the 1980s, have benefited from Peterson’s pioneering work.
Background/Education
Peterson was born and raised in South DakotaSouth Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
. He graduated from Aberdeen Central High School (South Dakota) in 1950 and attended Northern State College for two years before transferring to the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a public institution of higher learning in Rapid City, South Dakota governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents. Founded in 1885 as the Dakota School of Mines, Tech offers degree programs in engineering and science fields. 2,354 students were...
. He went to work for Eastman Kodak after earning a BS from Mines in 1954, marrying his high school sweetheart and serving two years in the Army at the end of the Korean War. He later received a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Rochester
University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private, nonsectarian, research university in Rochester, New York, United States. The university grants undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral and professional degrees. The university has six schools and various interdisciplinary programs.The...
(in 1963).
The Instamatic Revolution
Peterson’s invention and development of the InstamaticInstamatic
The Instamatic was a series of inexpensive, easy-to-load 126 and 110 cameras made by Kodak beginning in 1963. The Instamatic was immensely successful, introducing a generation to low-cost photography and spawning numerous imitators....
camera at Eastman Kodak
Eastman Kodak
Eastman Kodak Company is a multinational imaging and photographic equipment, materials and services company headquarted in Rochester, New York, United States. It was founded by George Eastman in 1892....
in the 1960s heralded an unprecedented explosion in amateur snapshot photography. With over 70 million units sold by 1970, there were very few American households without an Instamatic
Instamatic
The Instamatic was a series of inexpensive, easy-to-load 126 and 110 cameras made by Kodak beginning in 1963. The Instamatic was immensely successful, introducing a generation to low-cost photography and spawning numerous imitators....
. Based on the simple idea that loading and unloading the film in a camera ought to be a one-step process, the development of the drop-in film cartridge and a line of easy-to-use cameras for it created a phenomenon. Not since George Eastman
George Eastman
George Eastman was an American innovator and entrepreneur who founded the Eastman Kodak Company and invented roll film, helping to bring photography to the mainstream...
’s introduction of roll film had there been such a sales spike in the photo industry.
The "Point and Shoot" Revolution
In the 1970’s Peterson was principally responsible for the innovations that made possible the “point and shoot” camera revolution that extends into the 21st century. AutofocusAutofocus
An autofocus optical system uses a sensor, a control system and a motor to focus fully automatic or on a manually selected point or area. An electronic rangefinder has a display instead of the motor; the adjustment of the optical system has to be done manually until indication...
, off-the-film metering, auto-film-advance and built-in self-quenching electronic flash: all were featured on the “Project Beehive” camera developed by Peterson and his team of engineers and introduced by Honeywell
Honeywell
Honeywell International, Inc. is a major conglomerate company that produces a variety of consumer products, engineering services, and aerospace systems for a wide variety of customers, from private consumers to major corporations and governments....
at photokina
Photokina
The photokina is the world's largest trade fair for the photographic and imaging industries. The first photokina was held in Cologne, Germany, in 1950, and it is now held biannually in September at the koelnmesse Trade Fair and Exhibition Centre...
in 1972. The technologies from the “beehive” camera continue to resonate throughout the photography, digital photography, cinematography and video industries. Honeywell never introduced the camera to the market, but successfully sued other camera manufacturers who did so for infringement of Peterson's autofocus and light metering patents.
Awards and recognition
For his accomplishments in the field, Peterson was one of four people named Fellows of the Society for Imaging Science and Technology in 1975 (another inductee that year was Ansel Adams). He also received accolades from the American Society of Mechanical EngineersAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers is a professional body, specifically an engineering society, focused on mechanical engineering....
, the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, the Society of Plastics Engineers
Society of Plastics Engineers
The Society of Plastics Engineers is an international organization dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and education for all plastics professionals.The SPE was founded in 1942...
and the Triangle Fraternity
Triangle Fraternity
Triangle Fraternity is a social fraternity, limiting its recruitment of members to male students majoring in engineering, architecture, and the physical, mathematical, biological, and computer sciences...
of Engineers and Architects. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a public institution of higher learning in Rapid City, South Dakota governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents. Founded in 1885 as the Dakota School of Mines, Tech offers degree programs in engineering and science fields. 2,354 students were...
in 2000 and was named to Aberdeen Central’s Hall of Fame in 2007, together with former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle
Tom Daschle
Thomas Andrew "Tom" Daschle is a former U.S. Senator from South Dakota and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
and Apollo spacecraft guidance system designer John Miller.
Beyond Photography
Peterson’s influence went beyond the photography industry. He was responsible for the development two of most successful products in the history of Fisher-PriceFisher-Price
Fisher-Price is a company that produces toys for infants and children, headquartered in East Aurora, New York. Fisher-Price has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Mattel since 1993.-History:...
Toys, their childproof audiocassette recorder and phonograph player, both introduced in the early 1980s. He designed a number of important advanced products for the medical industry, and developed a variety of patented methods for improving manufacturing processes, saving manufacturers tens of millions of dollars over the course of his career. He developed the only successful 3D consumer camera, the first high-speed video camera for scientific motion analysis, and provided the mechanical design for the world’s first tablet computer. Overall, nearly 50 patents bear his name.
Throughout his life, Dean’s recreational passions were fly-fishing and golf. Given his personality and talents, it isn’t surprising that he invented advanced products for both. According to Peterson, his favorite invention was the Morgan Reel, a single-action fly reel named after his father-in-law, Morgan Drake, featuring a unique, infinitely-variable drag mechanism which can never be damaged by sand or grit, superior ergonomics, and the ability to operate either with the characteristic “click” familiar in most fly reels or completely silently.