View source for Bell & Howell

{{Short description|Services company and former manufacturer of film machinery}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2007}}
{{Infobox company
| name                = Bell and Howell
| logo                = Bell & Howell logo 2010s.svg
| image               = Bell & Howell Company (NBY 415412).jpg
| image_caption       = Original headquarters in Chicago
| type                = [[Brand]]
| industry            = [[Camera]]s, [[lens]]es, and [[motion picture]] machinery
| successor           = <!-- or: | successors = -->
| founded             = {{Start date and age|1907|02|17}} in [[Chicago]], Illinois
| founder             = <!-- or: | founders = -->
| defunct             = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| hq_location_city    = [[Durham, North Carolina]]
| hq_location_country = United States
| area_served         = <!-- or: | areas_served = -->
| key_people          = 
| products            = 
| owner               = <!-- or: | owners = -->
| num_employees       = 
| num_employees_year = <!-- Year of num_employees data (if known) -->
| parent              = 
| website             = {{url|https://www.bellhowell.net}}
}}
'''Bell and Howell''' is a [[United States]] brand of [[camera]]s, [[lens]]es, and [[motion picture]] machinery. It was originally founded as a company in 1907, and headquartered in [[Wheeling, Illinois]]. The company was acquired by Böwe Systec in 2003. Since 2010, the brand name has been licensed for a variety of consumer electronics products.

==History==
{{pic|Bell & Howell logo 1970s.svg|1970s logo}}
[[File:Bell & Howell Regent home 8mm film projector.jpg|thumb|A Bell & Howell "Regent" [[8 mm film|8mm]] home projector]]
[[File:Bell_Howell_Filmo.jpg|thumb|Bell & Howell [[16 mm film|16mm]] silent film projector ''Filmo 129'']]
[[File:Bell & Howell Filmo 16 mm projector.webm|thumb|thumbtime=5|Operating the Bell & Howell ''Filmo 129'' 16mm projector]]
According to its charter, the Bell & Howell Company was incorporated on February 17, 1907. It was recorded in the Cook County Record Book eight days later. The first meeting of stockholders took place in the office of Attorney W. G. Strong on February 19. The first board of directors was chosen for a term of one year: Donald Joseph Bell (1869–1934), chairman; Albert Summers Howell (1879–1951), secretary; and Marguerite V. Bell (wife of Donald Bell), vice chairman.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Aldred |first1=John |title=Donald J. Bell 1869-1934 and Albert S. Howell 1879-1951 |journal=Image Technology |volume=89 |issue=4 |date=October 2007 |page=16 }}</ref>

The firm made products for the motion picture industry. The Bell & Howell 2709 was the first all metal, commercially available motion picture camera. <ref>{{Cite journal |last=Williams |first=David |date=2019 |title=Tools of the Trade |journal=American Cinematographer |volume=100 |issue=12 |pages=92–98 |via=Art Full Text}}</ref> The 2709 was so expensive that only [[Charlie Chaplin]] and three other people owned one,<ref>{{Cite web |last=James |first=Grahame |title=For Sale: Charlie Chaplin's Movie Camera |url=https://www.retrothing.com/2007/06/for-sale-charli.html |access-date=2019-11-17 |website=Retro Thing}}</ref> while the rest were owned by studios.

Bell & Howell introduced products that improved the quality of projected images in a movie theater. The Kinodrome 35-mm projector mechanism, introduced in 1907, steadied projected images and reduced the flicker that can occur during motion-picture projection.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ehrenberg |first1=John |last2=Roberts |first2=Laurence |date=1983 |title=Seventy-five years of motion-picture standards: Contributions of Bell & Howell Co. |journal=SMPTE Journal |volume=92 |issue=10 |pages=1058–1063|doi=10.5594/J04133 }}</ref>  The 35-mm perforator, introduced in 1910, set the standard throughout the industry as to the expected distance and width of the sprocket holes running on each side of the 35-mm film; before this there had been no agreed upon standard<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Roberts |first=Laurence |title=Cameras and systems: A history of contributions from the Bell & Howell Co. |journal=SMPTE Journal |volume=91 |issue=10 |pages=934–946|doi=10.5594/J00229 }}</ref>

Bell & Howell developed a continuous film printing process in 1911, that was gradually accepted across the film printing industry.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kattelle |first=Alan |title=Home movies: A history of the American industry, 1897-1979. |publisher=Transition Publishing |year=2000 |location=New Hampshire}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UT3T71XX62YC&pg=PA240 |page=240 |title=Encyclopedia of Early Cinema |year=2004 |isbn=9781134566754 |publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]] |editor=[[Richard Abel (cultural historian)|Richard Abel]]}}</ref>

Historically, Bell & Howell Co. was an important supplier of many different media technologies, and it produced products such as:

*[[Newsreel]] and amateur film cameras such as the [[Filmo]] (end of 1923) and [[Eyemo]] (1925), and Autoload EE (1956)
* Military Gun sight TYPE N-8<ref>{{cite web |title=American Fixed and Free-Mounted Gunsights used by the RAF - Axis History Forum |url=https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=18861 |website=forum.axishistory.com |access-date=2022-08-28}}</ref>
* Regular-8 and [[Super 8 film|Super-8 film]] cameras and projectors (all models)
* 16mm silent and sound projectors (all models)
*[[Slide projector]]s (2" × 2"; 5&nbsp;cm x 5&nbsp;cm)
* 35mm filmstrip projectors
* Overhead presentation projectors (all models)
* Stereo cameras and stereo slide projectors through its TDC subsidiary
* [[Slide cube projector|Slide Cube Projector]], circa 1970

In 1934, Bell & Howell introduced their first amateur 8mm movie projector, in 1935 the Filmo Straight Eight camera, and in 1936 the Double-Run Filmo 8. The 1938 Kodak cassette holding {{convert|25|ft}} of Double-Eight film was taken by the Filmo Auto-8 in 1940.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

The firm added microfilm products in 1946.  In 1954, Bell & Howell purchased [[DeVry Industries]]' 16mm division.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--No by-line.--> |title=DeVry Movie Projector Production Flickers Out |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1965/11/04/page/155/article/devry-movie-projector-production-flickers-out |work=Chicago Tribune |date=Nov 4, 1965 |access-date=2017-07-17}}</ref>

Although known for manufacturing their film projectors, a partnership with [[Canon (company)|Canon]] between 1961 and 1976 offered still cameras. Many of their 35mm SLR cameras were manufactured by Canon with the Bell & Howell logo or Bell & Howell/Canon in place of the Canon branding. The firm dropped the production of [[movie camera]]s by the end of the 1970s.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

Bell & Howell was a supplier of media equipment for schools and offices. The film laboratory line is now a separate company, BHP Inc, which is a division of Research Technology International.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

In 1960, Bell & Howell merged with an Electronics and Instrumentation company CEC,  Lennox Road, [[Basingstoke]], UK.  This facility produced [[pressure sensor|pressure transducers]] and other devices for applications in areas such as North Sea oil platforms, the chemical industry, and the Ariane Space vehicles.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Senior Process Engineer (advertisement) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gcvp_4_BsOQC&pg=PA64 |date=October 7, 1982 |journal=New Scientist |page=64 |volume=96 |issue=1326 |issn=0262-4079 |access-date=2017-03-16}}</ref> This division was divested to [[Transamerica Corporation]] in 1983.<ref>{{cite web |title=Company History : CEC Vibration Products |url=https://www.cecvp.com/about/company-history/ |website=www.cecvp.com}}</ref>

In 1977, Bell & Howell signed an agreement with [[BASF]] to develop a new amateur videotape recorder, which would have made use of a {{convert|6.25|mm}} tape on which 28 of parallel tracks were to be recorded with the aid of a fixed head. The machine was expected to be ready by Christmas 1979,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/06/09/archives/corporation-affairs-japanese-motorcycle-makers-deny-dumping-charges.html|title=Bell & Howell Plans New Video Recorder|date=1977-01-09|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=2022-09-12|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Technology section |journal=New Scientist |date=4 August 1977 |page=298 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AQuJ3zfhNnwC&pg=PA298 |access-date=2022-09-13|language=en}}</ref> but did not reach the market.
Bell & Howell purchased [[University Microfilms International]] in the 1980s. UMI produced a product called ProQuest.

In the 2000s, Bell & Howell decided to focus on their information technology businesses. The imaging business was sold to [[Eastman Kodak]], and the international mail business was sold to [[Pitney Bowes]]. On June 6, 2001, Bell & Howell became a [[ProQuest]] Company,<ref>{{cite web|author=Paula J. Hane |url=http://newsbreaks.infotoday.com/nbReader.asp?ArticleId=17575 |title=Bell & Howell Becomes ProQuest Company |publisher=Newsbreaks.infotoday.com |date=2001-06-11 |access-date=2014-08-16}}</ref> which was then a publicly traded company, but is now a subsidiary of the private [[Cambridge Information Group]]. In September 2001, the remaining industrial businesses along with the Bell & Howell name were sold to private equity firm Glencoe Capital.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

The company merged with the North American arm of Böwe Systec Inc.{{When|date=December 2024}} Later, in 2003, Böwe Systec acquired the entire company. The company was known as Böwe Bell & Howell until 2011, when Versa Capital Management bought the company out of bankruptcy and renamed the company "Bell and Howell, LLC".<ref>[http://www.law360.com/articles/244784/judge-oks-80m-versa-bid-for-bowe-bell-howell Judge OKs $80M Versa Bid For Bowe Bell & Howell]</ref>

In 2010 consumer electronics manufacturer Elite Brands licensed the Bell + Howell brand name to use on optical and imaging products including digital cameras and camcorders, binoculars, telescopes, lenses, and various camera accessories.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://direporter.com/uncategorized/elite-brands-ebi-licenses-bell-howell-brand-name|title=Elite Brands to License Bell + Howell|last=James|first=Grahame|website=Digital Imaging Reporter|date=August 11, 2010|access-date=2022-01-06}}</ref>  BHH, LLC has also expanded licensing of the Bell + Howell brand name for a range of products including lighting and security, personal care, tools, pest control, auto accessories and luggage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.licenseglobal.com/archive/bell-howell-expands-offerings|title=Bell + Howell Expands Offerings|website=License Global|date=April 6, 2018|access-date=2022-01-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://emsoninc.com/about-us|title=About Us — Emson|website=E. Mishan & Sons, Inc.|access-date=2022-01-06}}</ref>

In 2011 a digital video recorder was released featuring the Bell + Howell brand.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bell and Howell T100HD-R Repair |url=https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Bell_and_Howell_T100HD-R |website=iFixit |language=en}}</ref>

In 2017 the company spun off the mail sorting business, including vote by mail, to Fluence Automation,<ref name="flu">{{Cite web |date=2017-08-01 |title=Bell and Howell Sells Sorting Business to Fluence Automation |url=https://bellhowell.net/about-us/news/bell-and-howell-sells-sorting-business-to-fluence-automation/ |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=Bell and Howell |language=en-US}}</ref> 
which was then acquired by BlueCrest Inc. in 2021.<ref name="blu">{{Cite web |date=2021-11-04 |title=Fluence Automation acquired by BlueCrest |url=https://www.parcelandpostaltechnologyinternational.com/news/automation/fluence-automation-acquired-by-bluecrest.html |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=Parcel and Postal Technology International |language=en-GB}}</ref>
BlueCrest had acquired the Pitney-Bowes document messaging business in 2018.<ref name="blu-pb">{{Cite web |date=2018-07-24 |title=Pitney Bowes DMt is now BlueCrest |url=http://www.bluecrestinc.com/company/newsroom/bluecrest-launch-release/ |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=www.bluecrestinc.com |language=en}}</ref>

In December 2018, Versa Capital Management, LLC ("Versa") announced the successful closing of the sale of Bell and Howell to Boston-based WestView Capital Partners ("WestView").{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

==Apple II==
{{main|Apple II Plus}}

Bell & Howell marketed a specially designed Apple II Plus computer to the educational market beginning in July 1979. The modified Apple had additional security elements for classroom use such as a tamper-proof cover. The case color was black but the inside was a standard Apple II Plus.<ref name = "IMJ July 1979">{{cite journal | title = Apple and Bell & Howell Enter Education Market | journal = Intelligent Machines Journal | volume = 1 | issue = 11 | page =77 | publisher = InfoWorld Media Group | date = July 18, 1979 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=FT4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA1| issn = 0199-6649}}</ref><ref name = "Mac Geek">{{cite web| title = Apple II Plus - Bell & Howell Model – Introduction | work = The Mac Geek | publisher = Pearl City Networks | date = 2010 | url = http://www.macgeek.org/museum/bhapple2plus/ | access-date = August 1, 2013 }}</ref> The modified Apple II became known colloquially among computer enthusiasts as the "[[Darth Vader]]" Apple II for its black case design.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apple2history.org/history/ah06/|title=6-The Apple II Plus|date=2008-12-03|website=Apple2history.org|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-17}}</ref>

== Education Group ==
Bell & Howell founded an Education Group within the company in 1907. This Education Group created Bell & Howell Schools in 1966. In that same year, the Education Group purchased a controlling share of [[DeVry Institute of Technology]]. Two years later in 1968, Bell & Howell's Education Group, via a controlling interest in DeVry, acquired [[Ohio Institute of Technology]] in Columbus, Ohio.<ref>Page six of the Ohio Institute of Technology Student hand book from the school year 1974-1975</ref> Over the years, the Education Group has bought and sold large interests in a variety of educational organizations and institutions, including [[Heathkit]] which supplied electronics kits for Bell & Howell courses.

==Gallery==
<gallery class="center" widths="175px" heights="175px">
File:Bell & Howell Stock Certificate (Specimen).jpg|Specimen stock certificate
Vintage Bell & Howell 8mm Movie Camera With Electric Eye (12103320673).jpg|8mm Movie Camera with Electric Eye
Image:Bell_Howell_Filmo_2.jpg|Bell & Howell 8mm amateur camera ''Filmo Straight Eight''
Image:Zaprudercamera.jpg| Bell & Howell Zoomatic movie camera used to shoot the [[Zapruder film]], in the collection of the U.S. National Archives
File:Vintage Bell & Howell Two Twenty 8mm Movie Camera, Made In USA (20429387376).jpg|Bell & Howell 8mm home movie camera, model ''Two Twenty''
File:Wildwood, Toledo, OH 43615, USA - panoramio (13).jpg|Bell & Howell 200 Movie Camera
File:Bell & Howell Autoload 309 Super 8 Camera.jpg|Bell & Howell Autoload 309 Super 8 Camera
File:Bell and Howell Apple II.jpg| Educational version of Apple II computer 
File:623circlesevendrive.JPG|Bell & Howell's former [[West Coast of the United States|western United States]] regional headquarters at 623 [[KABC-TV|Circle Seven]] Drive (formerly 623 Rodier Drive) in [[Glendale, California]]
</gallery>

== See also ==
*[[Charles H. Percy]]
*[[Film perforations#BH|BH Film perforation]]
*[[TeleMation Inc.]] In 1977, TeleMation inc. became a division of Bell and Howell.
*[[Pocket comparator]]
*[[Gordon Bradt]]

==References==
'''Notes'''
{{Reflist}}

'''Bibliography'''
* [https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2000/1113/6613228a.html "Unlocking the Vault"]. ''[[Forbes]]''. Dated November 13, 2000, viewed December 7, 2006
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120502183635/http://www.rtico.com/bhp/ BHP Inc Website] viewed December 7, 2006
* {{cite press release |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181204006105/en/Versa-Capital-Management-Completes-Successful-Sale-Bell |title=Versa Capital Management Completes Successful Sale of Bell and Howell |publisher=Businesswire |date=December 4, 2018 }}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{Official website|https://bellhowell.net/}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060217030937/http://www.bowebellhowell.de/ European & International Sector]. ([[Wayback Machine]] copy)
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070503094440/http://www.copweb.be/Zapruder%20Camera.htm The Zapruder Camera] Bell & Howell 414PD Director Series - Overview and User's Manual. (Wayback Machine copy)
* [https://www.madeinchicagomuseum.com/single-post/2015/03/18/8mm-Magazine-Movie-Camera-172-by-Bell-Howell-Co-c-1940s Bell & Howell at Made in Chicago Museum]

{{DeVry Education Group}}
{{Academy Honorary Award}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bowe Bell and Howell}}
[[Category:Photography equipment manufacturers of the United States]]
[[Category:Organizations awarded an Academy Honorary Award]]
[[Category:Electronics companies established in 1907]]
[[Category:Companies based in Cook County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Movie cameras]]
[[Category:Movie camera manufacturers]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:1907 establishments in Illinois]]
[[Category:Academy Award for Technical Achievement winners]]
[[Category:Defunct computer hardware companies]]
[[Category:Defunct computer systems companies]]