Apollo 3D Movie Viewer

United States / Hong Kong, 1980s

This interesting gadget is the first animated 3D movie device to enter our collection. The black cassettes, which could be purchased separately, contain a filmstrip that is advanced by pressing the black button on the right side of the battery-operated viewer. Each lens is focusable and the cassette has a switch that allows the framing to be adjusted. We don’t know how well this one worked when it was new and in its prime but now it’s pretty glitchy — it takes several tries of pressing the black button before the movie plays. When it does play, there’s barely a 3D effect. Still, we’re happy to have it in the collection for its uniqueness and fun design.