Date of use : 1907 USA

Defender Photo Supply Co. and Its Photographic Legacy

Defender Photo Supply Company was founded in 1899 in Rochester, New York, as a manufacturer of photographic materials. Although sources about its early operations are limited, the company initially appears to have been known as the "Defender Dry Plate Company", likely starting with the production of dry plates. Over time, it adopted the name "Defender Photo Supply Company" and expanded its focus to a broader range of photographic materials, including black-and-white films, printing papers, dry plates, and instructional books on photography.

Its product line included 35mm and sheet films, as well as high-quality photographic papers such as velour/satin silver bromide types, along with their associated developers and fixers (for example, the well-known Defendol developer). With this extensive range, Defender held a leading position in the photographic supply market of its era.

At the turn of the 19th century, Rochester had become the center of the photographic and optical industries, home to major firms like Eastman Kodak and Bausch & Lomb. Within this ecosystem, Defender Photo Supply served as an important player, offering alternative materials and supplies compatible with Kodak cameras and films. The company operated from its Argo Park facilities in Rochester and opened branch offices in major cities such as Boston.

An interesting chapter in Defender's history is its connection with Keystone Dry Plate Works. Founded by John Carbutt in 1879 in Philadelphia, Keystone was purchased by Defender in 1905, following Carbutt's death. By 1908, the Keystone facilities were operating under the name "Defender Dry Plate Company", functioning as a subsidiary until 1912. This acquisition significantly expanded Defender's plate production capacity.

In summary, Defender Photo Supply Co. operated from 1899 as a Rochester-based manufacturer of photographic materials, producing a wide range of products and becoming one of the leading firms in its field. The company's operations concluded when it was acquired by DuPont in 1945, marking the end of its independent role in the photographic industry.

For further details on Keystone Dry Plate Works, see the following reference:

👉 Damga Tarihi 1891 – Amerika / John Carbutt

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