Goerz Anschütz (Moment-Apparat, box)

The Anschütz Moment-Apparat, produced by Goerz between 1890 and 1898, represents an early and significant attempt at utilizing the newly introduced 135 (35mm) format in a box camera design. While predating the mass popularity of 35mm film by decades, this camera places Goerz alongside other pioneers like Oskar Barnack in exploring the potential for compact, roll-film photography. As a box camera, it likely featured a simple, sturdy construction typical of the era, with a rudimentary lens and shutter mechanism, designed for ease of use by the burgeoning amateur market or scientific/technical applications. Its existence underscores Goerz's role in the optical and photographic industry's evolution during the 1890s, bridging the gap between larger plate cameras and the future 35mm revolution. However, specific details about its exact innovations or unique features are not readily available from the given information.

Camera production was often experimental during this period, and the Anschütz Moment-Apparat exemplifies that exploratory phase. Its 135 format application was innovative for the time, even if the camera itself was mechanically straightforward. It likely served as a tool for practical experimentation with the smaller format and perhaps influenced later developments, though its direct impact on mainstream photography was limited by the technological constraints and market preferences of the 1890s. Its significance lies primarily in its early adoption of the format and its place within Goerz's product line during a dynamic period in photographic history.