The Polaroid Land Camera 1000 is a consumer camera line using SX-70 integral film. There were several models:

• Fixed focus – known (in the U.S.) as OneStep
• Zone-focused – known (in the U.S.) as Pronto! ; e.g. Pronto RF
• Sonar Autofocus – Labeled as both Pronto! and OneStep models, usually with an AF or Sonar designation

Atari Video Computer System Commercial1980s featuring Morecambe and Wise

The Atari 2600 is a video game console released in October 1977 by Atari, Inc. It is credited with popularizing the use of microprocessor-based hardware and cartridges containing game code, instead of having non-microprocessor dedicated hardware with all games built in. The first game console to use this format was the Fairchild Channel F; however, the Atari 2600 receives credit for making the plug-in concept popular among the game-playing public.

The console was originally sold as the Atari VCS, for Video Computer System. Following the release of the Atari 5200, in 1982, the VCS was renamed “Atari 2600″, after the unit’s Atari part number, CX2600. The 2600 was typically bundled with two joystick controllers, a conjoined pair of paddle controllers, and a cartridge game—initially Combat and later Pac-Man.

The Atari 2600 was wildly successful, and during much of the 1980s, “Atari” was a synonym for this model in mainstream media and, by extension, for video games in general.

In 2009, the 2600 was named the second greatest video game console of all time by IGN.

Info gleaned from Wikipedia

Apple computer advert from the late 80′s

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL; NYSE: AAPL; previously Apple Computer, Inc.) is an American multinational corporation that designs and markets consumer electronics, computer software, and personal computers. The company’s best-known hardware products include the Macintosh line of computers, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad. Apple software includes the Mac OS X operating system; the iTunes media browser; the iLife suite of multimedia and creativity software; the iWork suite of productivity software; Aperture, a professional photography package; Final Cut Studio, a suite of professional audio and film-industry software products; Logic Studio, a suite of music production tools; the Safari internet browser; and iOS, a mobile operating system. As of August 2010, the company operates 301 retail stores in ten countries, and an online store where hardware and software products are sold. As of May 2010, Apple is one of the largest companies in the world and the most valuable technology company in the world, having surpassed Microsoft.

Established on April 1, 1976 in Cupertino, California, and incorporated January 3, 1977, the company was previously named Apple Computer, Inc., for its first 30 years, but removed the word “Computer” on January 9, 2007, to reflect the company’s ongoing expansion into the consumer electronics market in addition to its traditional focus on personal computers. As of September 2010, Apple had 46,600 full time employees and 2,800 temporary full time employees worldwide and had worldwide annual sales of $65.23 billion.

For reasons as various as its philosophy of comprehensive aesthetic design to its distinctive advertising campaigns, Apple has established a unique reputation in the consumer electronics industry. This includes a customer base that is devoted to the company and its brand, particularly in the United States. Fortune magazine named Apple the most admired company in the United States in 2008, and in the world in 2008, 2009, and 2010. The company has also received widespread criticism for its contractors’ labor, environmental, and business practices.

Info gleaned from Wikipedia

1977 JVC HiFi products commercial.

JVC was founded in 1927 as “The Victor Talking Machine Company of Japan, Limited” as a subsidiary of the United States’ leading phonograph and record company, the Victor Talking Machine Company. In 1929 majority ownership was transferred to RCA-Victor. In the 1930s JVC produced phonographs and records, but in 1932 JVC started producing radios, and in 1939 they introduced Japan’s first TV. JVC severed relations with its foreign partners during World War II, and was majority owned by Matsushita (Panasonic Corp.) from 1953 to Aug 2007.

1977 JVC Video Recorders commercial, you will JVC the difference

JVC was founded in 1927 as “The Victor Talking Machine Company of Japan, Limited” as a subsidiary of the United States’ leading phonograph and record company, the Victor Talking Machine Company. In 1929 majority ownership was transferred to RCA-Victor. In the 1930s JVC produced phonographs and records, but in 1932 JVC started producing radios, and in 1939 they introduced Japan’s first TV. JVC severed relations with its foreign partners during World War II, and was majority owned by Matsushita (Panasonic Corp.) from 1953 to Aug 2007.

1977 Goblin Teasmade advert from the UK

A teasmade is a device for making tea automatically, which was once common in the United Kingdom and some of its former colonies. They generally feature an analogue alarm clock and are designed to be used at the bedside, to ensure tea is ready first thing in the morning. Although crude versions existed in Victorian times, they only became practical with the availability of electric versions in the 1930s. They reached their peak in popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, but have since declined to the extent that in the few places they are sold new, it is as a retro novelty item.

The name teasmade is an example of a genericized trademark; Goblin were the first to market their teamakers under the name teasmade, it is now commonly used to refer to any automatic teamaking appliance. Teasmade is a registered trademark for Swan.

info gleaned from Wikipedia

1978 Polaroid 1000 commercial.

Alongside the ‘prosumer’ range of folding SLRs, Polaroid released a large number of plastic bodied, non-folding consumer cameras that used the SX-70 integral film. There were several lines that varied in the type and amount of features they offered, but fall into three distinct categories differentiated by the method of focusing:

• Fixed focus – Generally known (in the US) as OneStep models
• Zone-focused – Generally known (in the US) as Pronto! models; e.g. Pronto RF
• Sonar Autofocus – Labelled as both Pronto! and OneStep models, but usually with an AF or Sonar moniker.

All these models use the SX-70 integral film, meaning the camera is powered by a battery built into the film pack. Many of these models were able to use certain accessories designed for the folding SLR line of SX-70 cameras, such as flashbars, electronic flashes and tripod mounts.

The Land Camera 1000 is a foreign-markets version of the original Onestep model, meaning it has a fixed focus plastic lens. The model 1000 or original OneStep models are distinguished among the range in that they were made available with 2 different coloured shutter buttons – either green or red; there is some debate among collectors as to which was more common. A matching electronic flash was also released for the Onestep/1000 model, known as the Q-Light. It fits onto any SX-70 non-folding camera model, but was cosmetically matched to the original models.

Info gleaned from camerapedia.org

1978 advert for the Polaroid 1000 .

The Polaroid Land Camera 1000 is a consumer camera line using SX-70 integral film. There were several models:

• Fixed focus – known (in the U.S.) as OneStep
• Zone-focused – known (in the U.S.) as Pronto! ; e.g. Pronto RF
• Sonar Autofocus – Labeled as both Pronto! and OneStep models, usually with an AF or Sonar designation

info gleaned from Wikipedia

1975 Kodak Ektra Cameras advert.

The Ektra was a very advanced 35mm rangefinder camera launched by Kodak USA in 1941. Before World War II, Kodak presented some really advanced cameras under the supervision of Joe Mihalyi, among which the Medalist, Super Six 20 and Bantam Special.

The Ektra was a 35mm coupled rangefinder camera. The shutter was of the focal plane type, from 1s to 1/1000, with horizontally traveling cloth curtains. The Ektra had a system of interchangeable magazine backs, allowing to change film in the middle of a roll. The advance lever was at the left of the magazine back, and needed two strokes. The release button was at the left of the top plate. It is said that Mihalyi was left-handed, so all the camera was designed to be used by a left-handed person. However this theory is contradicted here.

The viewfinder incorporated a zoom device, from 50 to 254mm. Only the 35mm lens needed an external lens to be put in front of the finder. The viewfinder also had a diopter adjustment, from -3 to +3 diopters. The rangefinder of the Ektra had a very large base, but it was not integrated in the viewfinder.

The Ektra had interchangeable lenses with a breech lock mount engaging a fine screw thread. All the lenses were named Ektar. The available lenses were the following:

• 35/3.3
• 50/1.9, seven element
• 50/3.5, four element
• 90/3.5
• 135/3.8
• 153/4.5

All the lenses were coated, at first only on the internal surfaces, and later on all the lens elements. A 254mm lens was planned but apparently never produced. About 2000 of the 35mm, 90mm and 135mm were made, and 400 of the 153mm. The lens cases were very nice cylindrical aluminium boxes.

An Ektra has been sold at a Christies auction (1/4/2003) with a 50/1.9 and a 90/3.5 lens marked Television Ektanon instead of Ektar. Apparently these lenses were for some post-war cine camera (see this page at the Golden Age Television site). The 50/1.9 is pictured mounted on the body, so the lens mount must be the same.

Info gleaned from Camerapedia

1975 Dixons commercial.

Dixons is an online retailer in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and is owned by DSG International plc.

With its origins in a photographic shop opened by Charles Kalms, the chain had a store in most towns and cities across the UK and Ireland. On 5 April 2006, Dixons announced that they were removing the brand from the high street (except in Ireland) and would only be using the Currys brand, branded as Currys.digital. DSG Ireland followed suit in August 2008.

The Dixons stores in The Netherlands had been sold off years before the rebrand, but still carry the Dixons brand.

Info gleaned from Wikipedia