Argus evolved from the International Radio Corporation, an innovative maker of radios in inexpensive Bakelite cabinets under the Kadette brand, to a manufacturer of inexpensive Bakelite cameras under the Argus brand.
In 1936, it brought out the Argus “A”, possibly the most important American-made camera of its day, for it was largely responsible for popularizing the 35mm (135) format in the United States. The camera featured a collapsible f/4.5, 50mm lens and was the first low-cost, easy-to-use 35mm camera in America. Despite being in the midst of the Great Depression, some 30,000 copies were sold in the first week for just $12.50 each.
