No. 2 Plico / Flexo (1899-1913)

The No. 2 Plico was a simple and afforable camera for the U.K. markets. In the U.S.A. it was called No. 2 Flexo. Both cameras are the same, except for the name inside and on the strap. The video shows a Plico.

The Plico / Flexo camera was introduced in December 1899. It replaced the No. 2 Falcon Kodak (Improved model). The Plico / Flexo was discontinued in April 1913. In total 118,800 were made. Nowadays the Plico it not so much seen.

The 3.5 x 3.5 inch (9 x 9 cm) picture size of the Plico / Flexo was very popular around 1900 and many models of this size, also from other manufacturers, have been made. The most popular Kodak model that took 3.5 x 3.5 inch photos was the $ 8.00 No. 2 Bull's-Eye. But eight dollars still was quite an amount of money. A factory worker in 1900 had to work 38 hours to earn it. So the $ 5.00 No. 2 Plico / Flexo was a cheaper alternative.

During the last years of the 1890's desginers were looking for the best way to give access to the interior of box cameras. Folding side panels were used sometimes, but the construction is weak and not very safe. The three panels had to be folded around the sides and back and were held in this position by the hinged front panel.

In: Youth's Companion, 1900	Portrait of a young lady with a No. 2 Flexo on a tripod. The photo is not marked as an Eastman Kodak item, but it is possible that it was used as a promotional item.
	In: Australasian Photo-Review, 1909.

 

 

 

On the left a portrait of a young lady with a No. 2 Flexo on a tripod. The photo is not marked as an Eastman Kodak item, but it is possible that it was used as a promotional item.