In the summer of 1984 my two little brothers, Bruce and Winston were struck by a drunk driver at 4:13 PM June 21st on HWY 17 between Merrill and Wausau, WI. That day forever changed my life. I am setting up this website as a way to remember my brothers and the passion they had for art, photography, and their ability to make things happen.
Just two years earlier, Bruce and Winston had been attending Art school part time and had come up with what they thought was a million dollar idea for bringing photographic art to the masses cheaply. In the winter of 1982 they had developed a camera that was made entirely of plastic, including the lens. They molded and manufactured the camera under the name Hipstamatic out of their 650 sq ft river front cabin on the waters of the mighty Wisconsin. We all referred to the molding area as the 'Animal Room' because the smell reminded us of burning rubber and roadkill.
The Hipstamatic was born out of a love of the Kodak Instamatic and a desire to make it something even children could afford on a small allowance. My brother Bruce once said, "It doesn't matter if the photos aren't prefect -- as long as people are capturing memories I will be happy." At the time I didn't agree, but now in my fifties I finally understand what he was talking about.
WOW. here i was using the hipstamtic app on my iphone down here in australia, thinking that it was a really well thought out hip app.... i had no idea of the "foundation" of the story... amazing. thanks so much for sharing this story.
is there ANY of the original cameras still around? would LOVE to read more about the original camera and the awesome brothers that made them!