Tru-Vue was not the only Illinois' company to create a stereo film viewer for the 1933 Chicago Worlds Fair. The Chicago based movie camera and projector manufacturer, DeVry Corp. (1913 - 1954), also produced a metal and bakelite viewer the same year that was very close in size and design to Tru-Vue's.
The films were printed on clear 35mm Eastman Kodak safety film with a reverse cut to the leader (the edges with the perforations protrude forward with the center portion of the film indented, opposite of the way Tru-Vue films are cut). Two films that I have seen had the opposite cut on the tail of the film indicating that one cut was made to separate the films in production. However the rest of the films that I have seen had straight cuts on their tails. Just like Tru-Vue, each image is 5 film perforations wide.
I have only seen films in the "Chicago and the Century of Progress" series, and only a very small number of them. I am guessing that the films were only sold in the Chicago area during 1933 and low sales caused DeVry to stop production.
Having said that, I was surprised when I purchased a second viewer at an antique store and set it next to my first viewer; the two viewers were different! One viewer is all black with brass eyecups, and the other has a black body and faceplate with chrome film advance section and eyecups. Both viewers have a round stamped logo on the center of the faceplate that says"Pats. Apld. For", but the viewer with the chrome accents also says "Pat. No. 2003480" and "Des. No. 90191" just above the logo. The patented viewer's faceplate has a raised area across the middle to keep the plate from rubbing against the film images as they pass through. The patent applied for viewer is flat across its front and would create excess wear to the films. I have not disassembled the viewers to see how they work, but for some reason the chrome accents viewer also has a large screw in the center of the bakelite body.
Obviously it was DeVry's intention to continue selling their stereo film views since they improved their viewer design and went through the process of patenting it. But with only a tiny number of known films, it appears that their plans fell through.
I do not have a DeVry film list or catalog, so here are the titles of the films that I have. If anyone has other titles in their collection or if you have a film list or catalog that can be scanned, please let me know.
Chicago and the Century of Progress, Series No. 1 - White captions on some views both frames toward bottom, no copyright date, 14 pairs including title frame with text only. Two views are of the Transportation building, the rest are views of Old Fort Dearborn.
Chicago and the Century of Progress, Series No. 2 “Scenes on Michigan Ave.” - No captions, no copyright date, 16 pairs including title frame. Views around the city of Chicago.
Chicago and the Century of Progress, Series No. 3 “Enchanted Isle” - No captions, no copyright date, 16 pairs including title frame. Views of various areas of the fair.
Chicago and the Century of Progress, Series No. 4 “The Sky Ride” - No captions, no copyright date, 16 pairs including title frame. Views of various areas of the fair.
Chicago and the Century of Progress, Series No. 5 - White captions on some views both frames toward bottom, no copyright date, 16 pairs including title frame. Views of various areas of the fair.
Chicago and the Century of Progress, Series No. 6 - White captions on some views both frames toward bottom, no copyright date, 17 pairs including title frame. Views of various areas of the fair.
Here is the front of the instruction sheet for the viewer. On the back is an advertisement for DeVry making commercial films for your business. I have never seen a DeVry commercial film, so perhaps no one took them up on their offer.
As always, this is a work in progress. If you have any additional titles or advertising, or notice any major omissions in this article, please let me know.
