CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF

NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE

JULY 2014
Center for the Study of

National Reconnai

JuLY 20
Center for the Study of National Reconnaissance

The Center for the Study of National Reconnaissance (CSNR) is an independent National 

Reconnaissance Office (NRO) research body reporting to the NRO Deputy Director, Business Plans 

and Operations. Its primary objective is to ensure that the NRO leadership has the analytic framework 

and historical context to make effective policy and programmatic decisions. The CSNR accomplishes its 

mission by promoting the study, dialogue, and understanding of the discipline, practice, and history of 

national reconnaissance. The CSNR studies the past, analyzes the present, and searches for lessons-learned.

Contact Information: Please phone us at 703-488-4733 or email us at csnr@nro.mil

To Obtain Copies: Government personnel can obtain additional printed copies directly from CSNR. 

Other requestors can purchase printed copies by contacting the Government Printing Office.

Published by

National Reconnaissance Office

Center for the Study of National Reconnaissance

14675 Lee Road

Chantilly, Virginia 20151-1715

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office 

Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: toll free (866) 512-1800 DC area (202) 512-1800

Fax: (202) 512-2104 Mail: Stop IDCC Washington, D.C. 20402-0001

ISBN: 978-1-937219-12-3
iii

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Table OF Conte

Foreword ......................................................................................................................................................................... v

Preface ............................................................................................................................................................................. vii

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................... ix

Chapter 1: Kodak’s Role in the NRO’s U-2 Program .......................................................................................... 13

Chapter 2: The Corona, Gambit & Hexagon Programs: 

 Kodak’s Role in the Progression from U-2 to Satellite Imagery ................................................. 19

Chapter 3: Processed Original Negative Handling ........................................................................................... 33

Chapter 4: Original Negative Reproduction & Duplicate Processing ........................................................ 37

Chapter 5: Color Production Operations at Lincoln Plant .............................................................................. 47

Chapter 6: Mission Related Functions, Equipment Engineering & Contractual Structures ............... 51

Chapter 7: Other Facets of Bridgehead Operations ......................................................................................... 63

Chapter 8: Research & Analysis Contributions ................................................................................................... 67

Chapter 9: A Day in the Life....Memorable Events & the Lighter Side ....................................................... 77

Chapter 10: Beyond National Photoreconnaissance: Studies & Support in the Late 20th Century .. 83

Chapter 11: Epilogue ................................................................................................................................................... 87

Appendix A: Bridgehead Chronology ................................................................................................................... 89

Appendix B: Kodak Photoreconnaissance Films - 1954 to 1973 ................................................................. 91

Appendix C: Primary List of Kodak Aerial Films Used in the Gambit & Hexagon Programs .............. 93

Appendix D: Chronology of Black & White Film Processing Equipment .................................................. 97

Appendix E: Chronology of Specialized B&W Processing Equipment ...................................................... 99

Appendix F: Chronology of Color Production Processing Equipment ...................................................... 101

Appendix G: Black & White and Color Printers ................................................................................................... 103

Appendix H: Equipment Development ................................................................................................................ 107

Appendix I: Typical Chemical Mix Formulation Sheet ..................................................................................... 131

Appendix J: Black & White Production Cycle ...................................................................................................... 133

Appendix K: Color Production Cycle .................................................................................................................... 135

Appendix L: Commendation Letter for Exemplar Study ............................................................................... 137

Appendix M: List of Contributors ............................................................................................................................ 139

Appendix N: Acronyms ............................................................................................................................................... 141

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

v

Forewo

The success of the Cold War photo-reconnaissance missions during the pre-digital age of the 20th 

century, was dependent on the magic of photochemistry. The core of that magic—with its latent 

images, silver halide crystals, gelatin, acetate, and ESTAR—was located in a highly secretive film 

processing and camera development facility, run by Kodak, and operated behind the cover name 

of Bridgehead. Six former Kodak employees—Dick Stowe, Don Schoessler, Dick Sherwood, Joe 

Russo, Tom Havens, and Rand Warner—engineering managers who worked behind the Bridgehead 

security curtain, have documented their recollections of what that facility did and how it supported 

photographic missions of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). This book, Bridgehead: Eastman 

Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program, is the second unclassified 

story in our series, In the Words of Those Who Served.

This book, from the perspective of participant observers, tells the history of Bridgehead’s 

most critical support efforts in early years of national reconnaissance. Both airborne and satellite 

photoreconnaissance programs became essential sources of intelligence by the early 1960s, and it 

was Bridgehead that converted the film of those reconnaissance missions into a source for imagery 

intelligence. First there were the U-2, A-12, and SR-71 high altitude aircraft platforms. For a time, the 

U-2 proved a reliable means for collecting badly needed photoreconnaissance, but the downing of 

the Francis Gary Powers’ piloted U-2 in May 1960 brought to a close the use of high altitude aircraft for 

collecting intelligence over the Soviet Union. In parallel to the high altitude aircraft, the United States 

defense and intelligence communities actively were developing satellites for collecting intelligence. The 

CIA and the Air Force launched and operated the nation’s first successful photoreconnaissance satellite, 

known as Corona. The authors tell much of their story within the context of the Corona program. 

The Corona photoreconnaissance satellite was, by late 1950s standards, a complicated, 

technological marvel. The CIA and USAF, and later the NRO, designed it to carry a camera system that 

utilized Kodak film to take images of the earth’s surface from space. The film was then transferred 

to a film-return capsule, enabling the film to re-enter the earth’s atmosphere. The next challenges 

were to retrieve the film and process it so the images could be evaluated by photo interpretation 

analysts.1

 Eastman Kodak was responsible for the on-ground processing of the film. Kodak developed 

the technology and machines that allowed for film development, the production of film prints, 

and the transfer of images for photo-interpretation. This is the story of the triumph of that ground 

processing, which was critical for allowing the Corona system to succeed, and for the success of the 

NRO film-return reconnaissance satellites that followed, known as the Hexagon and Gambit systems.

There are several vantage points from which this history could be read. This history could be read 

as a technology history. The reader will come away with a greater understanding of how technology 

was developed and applied for satellite film processing. The authors of the history are careful 

to describe the technological achievements necessary to enable film processing and distribute 

images for photo interpretation. This evolution of technology story can be useful to readers who are 

challenged with developing their own technological solutions to today’s challenges.

The development of any new technology almost always has secondary benefits beyond those for 

which the technology was developed. A reader of this history will discover how Kodak’s embrace of 

1 See the CSNR book, Intelligence Revolution 1960: Retrieving the Corona Imagery That Helped Win the Cold War—another 

in the CSNR series, In the Words of Those Who Served—for first-hand accounts of the challenge of retrieving the film capsules 

returned from space.
 vi

In The Words of Those Who Served

photoreconnaissance ground processing strengthened the company. Kodak employees supporting 

the projects associated with photoreconnaissance developed skills and abilities that exemplified the 

best in Kodak and thereby strengthened the company. The investments into people and technology 

provided Kodak with unique, unparalleled capabilities that resulted in a firmer corporate foundation.

A reader of the Bridgehead story also might take away management and leadership lessons from 

reading the history. Any new challenge requires imaginative management and strong leadership to 

succeed. This history illustrates not only what management and leadership efforts were developed, 

but more importantly how they were developed to assure program success. The how of leadership 

and management is a readily transferrable set of lessons for any new and challenging program.

Finally, a reader of this history will find that passion for the highly secret processing of 

photoreconnaissance intelligence drove the program. In any project, the more passion, the more 

likely it is that challenges can be overcome and critical breakthroughs accomplished. 

Now in 2014, after many years of silence, this former Kodak team of engineering managers, 

publicly can tell this important story. Unlike the man behind the curtain in the Wizard of Oz, where 

he had no magical powers, the men and women behind the curtain at Bridgehead had the magical 

powers of photochemistry. This is the story of that magic. We all can benefit from the telling in the 

ways I have described above.

 

 Robert A. McDonald, Ph.D.

 Director, Center for the Study of National Reconnaissance
BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

vii

Prefa

In 2008, a group of retired Eastman Kodak engineering managers began to document their 

story about “Bridgehead,”—the codename for the covert location and operation that researched 

and developed ground handling equipment and film processing and reproduction technologies for 

the United States overhead reconnaissance programs. The story began with a group of men who 

shared a unique bond, which endured into the golden years of life, where “good company” replaced 

the descriptor “professional colleague.” Because of the sensitive nature of their work and a pledge to 

maintain secrecy, they shared a bond that outsiders, including their own families, were not privy to 

until the President of the United States declassified their operation. As they met once again during 

their periodic luncheons, they decided to capture the story of this remarkable piece of history before 

it became too late to do so. Other motivations included the fact that they were on the front lines of 

photoreconnaissance and possessed the collective memory to describe the details of their critical role 

in making reconnaissance missions successful. After a lifetime that necessitated separating a secret 

world of work from families and friends, the authors wanted to share the details of their past working 

experiences. They always longed to talk about the unusual circumstances that existed over many years 

of living double lives, such as the long, demanding work hours and travel to undisclosed locations. 

This core group of authors consisted of six retired Eastman Kodak Company employees who 

spearheaded the writing, compilation, and formatting effort, which included the memories and 

recollections of many former Bridgehead colleagues. ITT Exelis (formally ITT’s Geospatial Systems 

Division—Kodak’s successor in the government systems area), also provided access to unclassified 

archives. While documenting 45 years of history, the authors took appropriate precautions not to 

violate security restrictions still in effect. The writing included specifics of Bridgehead’s involvement 

in the U-2 high-altitude photoreconnaissance aircraft and the Corona film-return reconnaissance 

satellite, which the U.S. Government declassified in the 1990s. The story more recently evolved 

with information surrounding Bridgehead’s involvement in the recently declassified film-return 

reconnaissance satellite systems, Gambit and Hexagon. The official declassification announcement 

for Gambit and Hexagon occurred on 17 September 2011, as part of the NRO’s 50th Anniversary 

Commemoration celebration in Washington, D.C. 

The authors created their document as a labor of love and submitted the work to the National 

Reconnaissance Office (NRO) for review and comment. Because of that review, the NRO indicated 

interest in adding it to its library of publications. Accordingly, in late 2010, the NRO assigned an 

editor (MSgt Lorraine M. Jacobs, USAFR Historian) to help prepare the document for publication by 

the Government Printing Office (GPO). At a regional celebration in Rochester, NY—hosted by ITT 

Exelis—the authors distributed unofficial copies of this book to guests in attendance at the event. 

These hardcopies served as a memento of that 30 September 2011 event and as a dedication to all 

the personnel who worked on the various overhead reconnaissance programs at that location. The 

authors and editor have since expanded on that original version to be more inclusive of the Gambit 

and Hexagon operations at Bridgehead.

 Dick Stowe

Don Schoessler

Dick Sherwood

Joe Russo

Tom Havens

Rand Warner

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

ix

Introd

Historians and scholars of national reconnaissance have written extensively about the 

marvels of technology that flew at high altitudes or orbited the earth to capture critical Cold 

War photoreconnaissance. The authors of Bridgehead: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert 

Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program add important insight into a critical effort for assuring 

success of both airborne and satellite photoreconnaissance that has received less attention from 

scholars. They reveal in this history how Eastman Kodak Company developed, built, and operated 

the infrastructure for processing film from photoreconnaissance collection systems. The authors 

affirm Kodak as an essential partner in the complex effort to gain intelligence from new heights—

intelligence that proved essential for helping win the Cold War.

At the onset of the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the free world after World War II, the 

United States found it essential to learn more about activities behind the Iron Curtain. Clandestine 

overhead photography became one of the most effective ways to monitor that activity. The U.S. 

Government and its contractors conceived, designed, and built both the U-2 winged aircraft and the 

Corona reconnaissance satellite for the primary purpose of carrying sophisticated camera systems at 

either high altitude or in space orbits, to acquire imagery that was unattainable by any other means.

Specifically, the U-2 program began in 1955 with the development of an aircraft capable of carrying 

aerial cameras at very high altitudes over denied areas, most notably the Soviet Union. From 1956 

until 1960, this reconnaissance system was the only reliable source of very high altitude photography 

over Sino-Soviet territories available to the U.S. However, the downing of Gary Powers’ U-2 aircraft 

over Russia on 1 May 1960 terminated these U-2 over-flights. The Powers incident dictated the rapid 

advancement of covert satellite technology to peer over the Iron Curtain. 

President Eisenhower had foreseen the need for satellite photoreconnaissance and assigned 

Project Corona to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to manage in early 1958. This film-return 

satellite reconnaissance system was not without its failures. After thirteen attempts, the United States 

finally realized success on 10 August 1960, when Navy divers retrieved from the Pacific Ocean a test 

return recovery vehicle (RV) carrying a U.S. flag. A week later, the U.S. successfully launched another 

Corona satellite, which returned film of some 1.5 million square miles of the Soviet Union, more than 

all the previous U-2 missions combined. Between 1960 and 1972, Corona’s 145 launches used two 

million linear feet of 70mm camera film and millions of feet of duplicate film, which were distributed 

to numerous government agencies. For that decade, the Corona system was one of the workhorses 

of this country’s overhead reconnaissance efforts. 

During the same period, the U.S. Government and other collaborators diligently worked toward 

developing other systems. Where Corona provided broad area coverage, the evolving Gambit 

satellite system provided a narrower view with higher resolution. Eastman Kodak developed the 

camera for Gambit’s very high resolution targeting system. Its first launch and mission on 12 July 

1963 provided the best imagery to that point for a photoreconnaissance satellite. The Gambit 

system’s high-resolution performance would go on to complement the new Hexagon system with 

its broad area coverage and improved resolution over Corona. Hexagon, first launched in June 1971, 

incorporated Perkin-Elmer’s camera and, like the Gambit satellites, used the latest high quality Kodak 

films available at the time. 

With the declassification of all these systems, the Eastman Kodak authors were eager to document 

the Bridgehead operation, which played an essential role in these reconnaissance missions, and to 
 x

In The Words of Those Who Served

record the technology and processes that contributed to mission success. Writers of books, articles, 

and program histories covering the early reconnaissance capabilities of U-2 and Corona often focused 

on the mechanisms used to enable high altitude flight and the numerous problems that required 

solutions for the programs to achieve success. The fact that the aircraft and satellites carried cameras 

with film is only part of the story. Few articles mention what happened to the exposed camera film 

from these very sophisticated camera-carrying platforms. 

The limited articles that attempted to follow the trail of the exposed camera film usually referenced 

Westover Air Force Base (AFB), located near Springfield, Massachusetts. Those references stemmed 

from Westover’s Special Projects Processing Facility (SPPF), a well-equipped wide-web photographic 

laboratory operated by the United States Air Force (USAF). However, Eastman Kodak Company’s 

Bridgehead operation served as the primary processing facility for the U-2, Corona, Gambit, and 

Hexagon systems. The more recently released references on Gambit and Hexagon shed more light 

on Kodak’s role, but not to the degree of specificity outlined in this historical account.

Kodak sustained its commitment to these covert programs throughout the Cold War period, 

and Bridgehead became the center for high-altitude photographic imaging technologies–the 

conduit for providing innovative films, film processing technologies, and information transfer from 

other Kodak divisions to government programs. To facilitate application of Kodak expertise, the 

government provided several Kodak scientists and technicians working in those divisions with “need 

to know” security clearances. Examples of these non-Bridgehead areas included film manufacturing 

and testing, Kodak’s Research Labs, Photo Technology Division, and Industrial Labs. Kodak’s upper 

management ensured the effectiveness of this conduit by sharing pertinent information, including 

company proprietary information about film and photographic science technologies under the 

shroud of security.

Lincoln Plant, a government-owned and Kodak-operated facility on the west side of Rochester, 

served as the first special processing facility. Later, they relocated that capability to Kodak’s Hawkeye 

Plant, located at the edge of the Genesee River, north of downtown Rochester. There, Bridgehead 

evolved to support the government’s overhead reconnaissance systems. A sophisticated, state-ofthe-art Photographic Operations Center, it derived its code name from its location adjacent to the 

Driving Park Bridge that spans the Genesee River Gorge (cover photo). The government maintained 

Westover’s SPPF as an alternate processing facility and a backup to Kodak’s Bridgehead operation. 

In the same manner that the U-2, Corona, Gambit, and Hexagon programs were highly classified 

as critical strategic operating systems, the government also classified the existence and operations 

carried on at Bridgehead. 

Bridgehead had a unique role in classified overhead reconnaissance programs—it was at the 

crossroads of the nation’s Intelligence Community (IC). Besides obviously working closely with its 

backup facility at the Westover SPPF, Bridgehead closely interfaced with Itek Corp. in Foxborough, 

MA, the manufacturer of the Corona camera, America’s first satellite reconnaissance system; PerkinElmer Corp. in Danbury, CT, the manufacturer of the Hexagon camera, a satellite-based broad 

area search reconnaissance system; Air Force and Navy photographic field operations around the 

world that were supporting both strategic and tactical photo reconnaissance; the photographic 

interpretation community in the U.S., particularly the National Photographic Interpretation Center 

in Washington, DC; and virtually all of the federal government’s intelligence and defense mapping 

agencies. Bridgehead also collaborated internally within Eastman Kodak elements, working with 

Eastman Kodak’s proprietary aerial film research, development, and manufacturing technologies as 

well as its K-Program, a highly classified segment of the company in Rochester building the Gambit 

camera, a key component of a major satellite reconnaissance system.
BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

xi

The authors of this historical account record the story of Bridgehead, including events leading 

up to its formation, and the primary role it played as part of the U.S. Government’s early aerial 

reconnaissance programs, which relied on Kodak’s film and photo-science technologies. They 

are witnesses to exceptional intelligence that would settle questions—among others—of gaps 

in strategic bombers, numbers of intercontinental ballistic missiles, and compliance with arms 

limitations treaties. Accordingly, this is a history of an essential part of the effort to win the Cold War 

and defend the American people.

 James D. Outzen, Ph.D.

 Chief, Historical Documentation and Research

 Center for the Study of National Reconnaissance

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

13

Chapter 1

Kodak’s Role in th

U-2 Progr

In late 1954, the CIA contacted Dr. Albert Chapman, then President of Eastman Kodak Company, 

to request Kodak’s direct involvement in the U-2 program in the areas of film and film processing. 

Because of the unusual nature of the request, including its classified status and its importance to 

national security, Dr. Chapman consulted with Kodak’s Board of Directors. Realizing the significance 

of this project as it related to national security, the Board soon notified the CIA of their intent to 

participate and began to select its project team. Kodak selected Fordyce Tuttle, Business Manager 

of Kodak’s Apparatus and Optical Division (A&OD), as the first person to obtain a classified security 

clearance and interface with the CIA, and CIA briefed him on the mission of the U-2 program. In 

support of the U-2 mission, the CIA elaborated on the role it envisioned for Kodak: supplying 

photographic film for the cameras, processing the exposed camera film, and duplicating film and 

creating enlargements of the imagery for photo interpretation.

Project team development continued as company managers further identified candidates with 

relevant skills and asked them to transfer to new work assignments, slated to span a two to three 

year timeframe. Some of the first employees assigned to the new project included Dr. Kenneth 

MacLeish from the Kodak Research Laboratories, Harry Yeoman from the Color Print and Processing 

Division, and Edgar L. Green from Kodak Park’s Engineering Division. As plans progressed, Kodak’s 

employees codenamed their role in the U-2 program after Fordyce Tuttle, and thus it received the 

name “Tuttle Project” (TP).

In addition to human resource decisions, the management team needed a secure location for offices 

of the new organization. By 1956, Kodak established the offices for the Tuttle Project in a penthouse 

atop Kodak’s Camera Works, a division of A&OD located in downtown Rochester, NY–later, Kodak’s 

Corporate Headquarters. This location required a means of allowing only project workers with proper 

security clearances access to the penthouse. Hence, Kodak required the project’s assigned employees 

to exchange their Kodak passes for a one-inch-square pink clip-on access badge. Employees referred 

to this badge designation as the “TP Pass.” In the ensuing months, the project expanded beyond the 

original two to three-year scope as the government added compartmented projects to the program. 

These additions periodically required security managers to modify the badges to include quarterinch-wide vertical stripes of various colors–each color representing approved access to a particular 

project within the TP. The length of each stripe denoted the level of clearance: the top third of the 

badge length denoted minimum security clearance level and awareness of a classified project, 

allowing facility personnel in to secure areas to perform facility work; the top two-thirds of the badge 

length allowed full access to general and detailed project information as needed; and full length of 

badge indicated the prior two, plus awareness of the project’s customer. TP Passes continued in use 

for over 40 years as a requirement for access to Special Programs—a group of departments in Kodak’s 

Government Systems Division.

In the early 1960s, Ed Green, the Tuttle Project’s Program Manager, requested the development 

of an emblem for use on tokens of appreciation for distribution to deserving TP Project employees. 
 14

In The Words of Those Who Served

Recalling the evolution of the TP Project, the TP Badge, and related 

security procedures, designers created an emblem of a colorful 

Indian teepee, which represented the beginnings of the program. 

Its yellow color designated the access color assigned to the first 

project stripe on access badges. The teepee’s green door reflected 

the name of the first program manager and signified a then-common 

expression applied to project activities going on “behind the green 

door.” The background stripes were symbolic of project accesses. For 

over 30 years, they used the emblem on pins, plaques, and other 

commendations given to employees and customer representatives 

for their services to the Project.

Figure 1: TP Pass. Pass scanned from 

a Bridgehead Recognition Award Plaque.

Although simplistic in its design, the teepee emblem perhaps symbolized great strides toward 

world peace and an understanding of known or potential enemies of the United States. For during 

those decades, reconnaissance systems rapidly advanced under a shroud of secrecy beginning 

with the U-2 program.

The U-2 Program:

President Eisenhower authorized the design and manufacture of the U-2 aircraft and the initiation 

of a high altitude photographic reconnaissance system, codenamed “Aquatone” in 1955. Engineers 

designed the U-2 to fly at altitudes in excess of 60,000 feet and incorporated an “A” camera (designed 

and built by the Hycon Corporation), configured in either of two systems: 

• The “A1” camera—built with a tri-metrogon mapping configuration, a system 

of aerial photography that simultaneously took one vertical and two oblique 

photographs for use in topographical mapping.

• The “A2” camera—configured for photographic reconnaissance. The A2 

incorporated 24-inch lenses, used 9 1⁄2-in.-wide film, and had a 9 x 18 in. format for 

each of three cameras mounted in the U-2 aircraft in a fan configuration; one left, 

one vertical, and the other right.

In the 1958-59 timeframe, the “B” camera (also manufactured by Hycon) became available, 

incorporating a 36-in. focal length lens. This camera system used two 9 1⁄2-in.-wide rolls of film that 

moved through the camera in opposite directions to expose imagery in an 18-in. square format. The 

system reduced torque and improved stability, but it missed objects at exact nadir because the image 

appeared in the gap between the two film rolls. The “B” camera also provided the capability of tilting the 

lens head from almost horizon on the left to almost horizon on the right through five different imaging 

positions: high oblique, medium oblique, vertical, medium oblique, and high oblique. The CIA used U-2 

aircraft with these camera systems for all over-flights of the U.S.S.R. from 1956 until 1 May 1960. 

Interestingly, this clandestine operation relied on a simple, but effective, means of packaging to 

transport the film from the retrieval area to the film processing plant. U.S. Army ammunition boxes, 

modified with a foam lining, effectively served as parcel packaging for the camera film rolls. Following 

a U-2 mission these so-called “B-boxes,” made their way back to Rochester, NY for photographic 

processing at the government’s Kodak-operated Lincoln Plant facility by way of a customer courier 

service (known as Friendly Airlines). 
15

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

 U-2 Camera Films

Kodak’s participation in the U-2 program began in 1956. One of the first tasks was to establish a 

covert film supply system, which was completely independent from the conventional commercial 

film supply network. Managers at Kodak Park (the multi-plant facility where they manufactured film 

products) adopted the code word “Project F” as the film supply system for all films produced for the 

U-2 program. Project F films were slit and spooled from acetate-based black & white (B&W) aerial 

films. Original camera negative films used on U-2 flights were 9 1⁄2-in.-wide rolls of Kodak Special Plus 

X Aerial Aerographic film coated on .0052-in. (5.2 mil) acetate base. 

Figure 2: Lincoln Plant. Photo courtesy of the Don Alkins family, Rochester, NY. Photographer unknown.

Early Processing Operations

The first Photographic Operations Center had humble beginnings in the spring of 1956, in a 

facility owned by the Navy Department known as Lincoln Plant located on the west side of Rochester. 

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) directed initial operations, while Kodak’s employees oversaw 

technical and production operations. In a concerted effort to meet project demands, Kodak’s 

management team took several decisive steps to advance the capabilities of its facilities. They moved 

rapidly to provide a secure facility to accommodate equipment and staff. Within a short time span, 

they also reassigned supervisors, engineers, and technicians from their commercial production and 

processing departments to operate this facility. With great resourcefulness, and with the added 

pressure of time constraints, this team scrounged processing equipment, chemical mix operations, 

and photographic printing equipment from various parts of Kodak’s manufacturing operations. The 

team installed them in the building known as Lincoln Plant’s Unit 7, formerly known as the “Perfume 

Factory”—a name derived from the facility’s former business of bottling and packaging perfumes. This 

plant gained a new mission as a temporary photographic processing laboratory to handle those U-2 

payloads returned to Rochester for processing. It had a projected lifespan of only two or three years. 

Utilizing a Primary Eltron processor and a Secondary Eltron machine, technicians processed 

exposed camera films in two stages, which involved interruption of the normal development cycle. 
 16

In The Words of Those Who Served

This process required interruption to obtain a “reading” on the unknown exposure levels of the imagery 

because the A-2 camera system did not have the ability to adjust film exposure based on illumination 

of the photographed scene. Constructed of stainless steel, the Eltron processors extended 25-ft. in 

length with a 150-foot-long thread path (including the wet and dry sections), which moved the film 

continuously through the sequential black & white processing steps. The Primary Eltron operated 

at a drive speed of 5-ft/min., while the Secondary Eltron operated at a drive speed of 7.5-ft/min. 

The Primary Eltron supplied a preset low level of primary development, after which the film passed 

through a “stop” solution to arrest development, and was then washed and dried without being 

“fixed.” Technicians then visually evaluated the film under special safelight conditions to determine 

the level of density achieved and the nature of the imagery. They conducted this operation in near 

total darkness with only a very dim dark green safelight used for the visual inspection. If the imagery 

possessed sufficient density for the acquired targets, they put the film through the Secondary Eltron 

(bypassing secondary development) to receive only a fixing solution (and subsequent washing and 

drying). If they determined that the imagery required additional density (e.g., low luminance areas 

and partial shadows), they placed the film in the Secondary Eltron for additional development as well 

as the traditional stop, fixer, wash, and drying steps. Because this double processing technique was 

cumbersome and slow, it became obvious that the processing of original negative (ON) films needed 

significant improvements. However, Lincoln Plant lacked appropriate space for expansion. 

Figure 3: Kodak’s Hawkeye Plant. Photo courtesy R.D. Sherwood and J. Sherwood.

Transition to Hawkeye

To overcome the limitations of the Lincoln Plant photo lab installation and its inadequate 

operational space that prohibited expansion, the government and Kodak formulated guidelines 

for an expanded capability. They agreed that the expanded capability should be located in a Kodak 

facility where expertise and personnel were readily available. Moreover, the expansion plan needed 

to include the design and installation of state-of-the-art photographic processing and reproduction 
17

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

equipment. The expansion process also required that all activity remain top secret and in no way 

compromised the existence of a major photo laboratory that served the photoreconnaissance 

community. In addition to these guidelines, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and CIA 

created a plan to meet defined needs on an aggressive schedule. Available space in some of the 

buildings at Kodak’s Hawkeye Plant presented an opportunity to locate new lab facilities there–codename “Bridgehead”—which denoted the secret location. 

Despite the use of older buildings serving as a good cover for the covert operation, money provided 

by the government out-fitted the new lab with newly designed processing equipment. Installing 

the new equipment and moving from Lincoln Plant to Bridgehead (BH) required a staged approach. 

The staged approach required the printing of the ON imagery onto duplicate films at Lincoln Plant, 

transporting the exposed film to Hawkeye to use the high volume processing capabilities, and then 

transporting the processed duplication films back to Lincoln Plant for packaging and shipping. This 

logistically complicated arrangement, although temporary, enhanced the ability to supply a large 

quantity of desired high-quality imagery on a timely basis. 

Subsequent steps used the same strategy—design and build new ON processing equipment 

and install and operate the new equipment at Bridgehead without compromising the basic and 

unorthodox equipment, which had hurriedly but successfully, been “kludged” to meet an urgent U-2 

support requirement. After installing the complete cadre of original processing, duplicate printing, 

duplicate processing, inspection, and shipping equipment at Bridgehead, engineers and technicians 

modified the obsolete equipment left at Lincoln Plant to support exploration of the potential 

advantages of color in reconnaissance photography.

19

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Chapter 2

The Corona, Gamb

Hexagon Programs: Kod

Role in the Progress

U-2to Satellite 

In the 1950s, the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) endeavored to acquire good information about 

happenings behind the Iron Curtain. Meanwhile, the pressing intelligence demands of the Cold 

War promoted the development of various aerial and satellite reconnaissance systems. President 

Eisenhower proposed his 1955 “Open Skies” initiatve, allowing reciprocal access for reconnaissance 

over-flights to monitor military activities in 

various countries. Conversely, the USSR’s 

Nikita Khrushchev opposed Open Skies. The 

U-2 program facilitated photoreconnaissance 

missions; however, the government 

anticipated a relatively short operational 

life for this program. In 1958, President 

Eisenhower set in motion a daring attempt 

to use unproven, but developing space 

technologies to counter the secrecy behind 

the Iron Curtain. In their study of uses of 

space, Project RAND, a federally-controlled 

research center based in California, researched 

the space approach to reconnaissance and 

concluded that “reconnaissance data of 

considerable value can be obtained” via use of 

reconnaissance satellites. 

Figure 4: Comparison of Average Scene Luminance 

Ranges and Film Sensitometry. 

Graphic by T. Havens and J. Havens.

During this intensive three-year development program, the government and associated 

contractors worked to resolve multiple security and program management challenges. Kodak closely 

engaged in aiding the effort by developing the films and ground handling technologies needed 

for the Corona system, one of the new programs competing for space-borne reconnaissance roles. 

These imaging systems used specialized films, chemical processes, and reproduction equipment, 

and Kodak developed the films and technologies. Although Kodak developed better processing 

and ground-handling equipment for the U-2 program, with the rapid advancement of satellite 

photoreconnaissance technology, these systems necessitated even higher resolution acquisition 

films to resolve the objects much further away when photographing them from space. Additionally, 

the need to penetrate the natural haze of the atmosphere required a high-contrast film producing a 

relatively narrow exposure range, which required critical exposure control and precision processing. 
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In The Words of Those Who Served

These haze effects reduced the “average scene exposure range” from a very high altitude to a fraction 

of typical scene exposure ranges at ground level. This circumstance necessitated high contrast 

precision exposure and processing to capture the maximum scene information. Lower contrast 

consumer films provided a margin for variation not available to the aerial imaging system. Kodak’s 

workforce possessed the expertise with microfilm emulsions, and they worked toward extending 

that specialized knowledge to produce finer grain aerial films.

Kodak contributed further innovations to the emergent satellite program. It produced films on 

ESTAR base early in the Corona program to resolve breakage problems associated with acetate film 

base. The stronger ESTAR base allowed the development of thinner films, which provided an increase 

in film-load length for a given weight limitation. Concurrently, Bridgehead made improvements in film 

processes and ground handling equipment, which increased system performance and production 

capabilities. Kodak’s efforts continued throughout the life of the Corona program, and combined 

with camera system performance improvements, ground resolution improved from 35 to 40 feet in 

the early missions to 6 to 10 feet in later missions. The Bridgehead facilities successfully processed 

over two million feet of camera film over the life of the Corona program.

Corona Black & White Camera Films 

Kodak routinely supplied camera films for the U-2 program by 1958, the inaugural year of CIA’s 

Project Corona. Accordingly, the film-supply system at Kodak Park followed the same procedures 

established for the U-2 Project. Kodak Special Plus X Aerial Film SO-1153, coated on an acetate base, 

was the first Corona camera film. Slit to 70mm width, the film wound around cores supplied by the 

camera manufacturer. They modified B-Boxes with new foam liners to carry the carefully wound film 

for shipment. The SO-1153 film worked well for all ground tests, but as testing progressed to simulate 

space environments, the acetate-based film failed. Solvents used in the manufacture of the acetate 

base out-gassed in the space environment, resulting in the base losing its structural integrity. It 

quickly became apparent that space photography required a new film base.

ESTAR, a relatively new material, held the promise of meeting the film base requirements for 

space-borne films. Earlier, E. I. du Pont deNemours and Company (DuPont) had developed a strong 

clear flexible sheet film from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), called Mylar. Kodak had purchased a 

licensing agreement from DuPont to permit Kodak to manufacture the PET with the provision that 

Kodak limit its use to films in photographic applications. Kodak called its new film base “ESTAR.” Initially, 

scientists used ESTAR films for applications that required rigid dimensional stability. However, Kodak 

engineers quickly recognized the necessity for using ESTAR base for Corona’s space application. They 

soon modified Kodak’s ESTAR manufacturing equipment to provide long lengths of film base for use 

on Corona. In the spring of 1960, Itek Corporation (the Corona camera manufacturer) evaluated test 

lengths of Kodak Special Plus X Aerographic Film coated on ESTAR base (identified as SO-102). Itek 

determined that SO-102 worked well and used it in the first successful Corona mission containing 

film. This mission, named Discoverer XIV, flew on 18 August 1960, and carried a film load limited to 

ten pounds of 70mm-wide SO-102 (approximately 3000 feet).

While they originally produced ESTAR base with a thickness of .004 inches (4 mils), there was 

the potential for producing even thinner film bases. As manufacturing techniques improved, it 

became possible to reduce the ESTAR base thickness to .0025 inches (2.5 mils), identified as ESTAR 

Thin Base film. Because the thinner base permitted a larger film payload for the same weight, most 

of the Corona flights used this ESTAR Thin Base film. Twenty-inch diameter rolls of thin-based Corona 

camera films were only slightly longer than the 6000-ft. U-2 rolls. However, the rigors of rocket-
21

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

powered launches imposed quite different and more stringent spooling requirements on the Corona 

film roll. For example, high vibration levels caused shifting of adjacent layers of film in the camera 

roll. Film manufacturing engineers eliminated the problem by winding the camera roll under precise 

tension and alignment control. These improvements also resulted in flatter face-walls on the finished 

roll, which allowed the attachment of flanges to both sides of the camera film load before packaging 

in the metal B-Boxes.

Kodak manufactured all films on relatively few very large machines, designed to handle 

coating widths of either 42 or 54 inches. Unfortunately, they did not design any of the machines to 

handle very thin film base. Because it was not feasible to construct a dedicated special facility for 

manufacturing Corona films, Kodak developed special techniques to transport the thin base during 

manufacture and its subsequent emulsion-coating operations. In addition, Kodak engineers and 

technicians built special equipment to accommodate the unique camera spools, ultrasonic splicing 

capabilities, and winding equipment to assemble the approximate 8000-ft. film lengths required for 

the Corona camera flight rolls. Both the photographic and physical characteristics of the camera film 

required very rigid standards. The Corona Project’s flight rolls only used film that met all the required 

characteristics. The very complicated film path of the Corona camera required that the film had to 

be straight and without weave. In addition, the film support thickness had to be almost perfectly 

uniform to avoid the formation of “hard streaks” in the long tightly wound rolls.

Figure 5: Kodak Black & White Film Types Used in the Corona Program. 

Compiled by J. Moser from Eastman Kodak Co. records.

Technical advancements in camera design permitted changes in film design. As the Corona Project 

progressed, it incorporated faster lenses into its camera, which allowed use of slower, finer grain film. 

The combination of better lenses and finer grain/higher definition film resulted in acquiring much 

better photography, permitting greater enlargement and providing much more detail for photo 

interpreters. However, these finer grain films greatly increased cleanliness requirements, which 

required incorporation of more sophisticated equipment and heightened cleanliness standards in 

the manufacturing process.

Use of an even thinner ESTAR base held the potential for even longer film loads. In the late 

1960s, Itek ran tests to determine if the Corona camera system could use Kodak’s newly developed 

High Definition Aerial Film 1414—the same emulsion already in use but coated on .0015-in. (1.5 

mil) ESTAR, known as ESTAR Ultra-Thin Base (UTB). However, the complicated film path and the 
 22

In The Words of Those Who Served

curved platen in the Corona camera prevented UTB from tracking properly, and although Itek 

wanted to use this 1414 film in their KH-4B configuration, the risks outweighed the benefits. The 

UTB film never flew on a Corona flight.

Figure 6: Corona Program Ground Resolution Improvements. 

Data Source: USGS EROS Data Center; graphic by T. Havens and J. Havens.

For all of these initiatives, film manufacturing at Kodak was always a highly proprietary 

operation. Accordingly, Kodak funded all the development work, manufacture of new equipment, 

and modifications of existing equipment needed to produce the special films for the overhead 

reconnaissance programs. Many years later, these innovations received honorary recognition. In 

February 2005, the National Academy of Engineering selected Project Corona as the recipient of 

the Charles Stark Draper Prize. This prize honors an achievement that significantly affected society 

by improving the quality of life, providing the ability to live freely and comfortably, and permitting 

the access of information. Due to the secrecy of this project, the recipients received this award fortyfive years after the first successful photography from space. The recipients—Mr. James W. Plummer, 

Lockheed; Mr. Minoru S. Aracki, Lockheed; Mr. Francis J. Madden, Itek; Dr. Edward A Miller, General 

Electric; and Mr. Don H. Schoessler, Kodak—accepted the award on behalf of their respective 

corporations.

(See Appendices for a listing of Kodak films available for aerial imaging applications in the last half 

of the 20th Century.)

Satellite Reconnaissance: 

Black & White Mission Processing at Bridgehead

At Bridgehead, the term “mission” meant all the activities involved in receiving a single Recovery 

Vehicle (RV) from a reconnaissance satellite, from downloading it to processing, duplicating and 

shipping its film payload. With Kodak’s commitment to support government surveillance programs, 

Kodak’s Special Programs unit began the development of a sophisticated B&W film processing and 
23

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

reproduction operation at Bridgehead. The unit’s primary tasks, accomplished in round-the-clock 

(two twelve-hour) shifts, typically over a period of three to four weeks, included: preparing the ON 

film for processing; processing it; breaking it down into manageable lengths; adding man-readable 

information to each frame of imagery; printing and processing duplicate copies (mostly duplicate 

positives but some duplicate negatives as well); adding header and trailer identification information 

to the original and duplicated copies to facilitate user handling; and preparing the finished copies for 

shipment. The outcome of the tasks was the delivery of a finished product of the highest quality to 

the government customer in as short a time as possible.

Additional tasks included the generation of multiple copies of selected frames and creation of 

very high quality enlargements of selected targets (up to 153X) in order to meet specific customer 

requests. Except for specialized paper-based enlargements, technicians transferred imagery in ON 

films directly to high-resolution duplicate positive films (without magnification) for viewing in front 

of diffuse-light viewers often equipped with high magnification microscopes. Film-based duplicates 

(transparencies) were essential to achieve maximum resolution levels, tonal range, and highest 

possible image quality. Most duplicating films were ESTAR based except for some early duplication 

films coated on triacetate base. 

In the same manner that manufacturers built, assembled, and tested space-borne hardware 

under very high standards of cleanliness, Bridgehead operations conducted operations in a cleanroom environment. Operating personnel wore clean-room attire—lint-free hats, body suits, gloves, 

and shoe coverings—specialized clothing known as “bunny suits.” 

Recovering, Transporting and Processing B&W Corona Films 

Typically, the Corona mission flowed smoothly from payload recovery and transport through the 

Bridgehead film processing and reproduction operation to the subsequent shipment of finished 

product. Specially equipped aircraft flown by the 6593rd Test Squadron out of Hickam Air Force 

Base, Hawaii “snatched” the Corona RV (containing the exposed ON film) in midair over the Pacific 

Ocean as it returned to earth under its parachute. After returning to base, personnel assigned to the 

mission placed the RV in a specially constructed shipping container and transferred it to a Military 

Air Transport Squadron C-130 military aircraft. They then flew to a western U.S. Air Force base for 

refueling before going on to Rochester, N.Y. 

The operation required a secretive arrangement among Bridgehead personnel, the Air Force, and 

the civilian airport’s manager in Rochester. Upon arrival at the airport, the aircraft always taxied to 

“Bravo Pad,” located near one of the commercial runways but a significant distance from the airport’s 

passenger terminal. Bridgehead personnel drove a leased, unmarked truck and entered the airport’s 

security perimeter via a normally locked gate, using their own key for access. (Previously, the airport 

manager had undergone a security clearance investigation and received a classified briefing about 

the mission, which enabled operations to occur without interference by airport employees.) There, 

without attracting attention, Bridgehead personnel transferred the shipping container to the truck 

and transported it to Lincoln Plant and later on to Hawkeye. The aircraft loadmasters loaded any 

residual shipments of film or equipment from the truck and did not return until the first priority 

copies of the mission were ready for pickup. Once the shipping container arrived inside the Special 

Programs perimeter, Bridgehead personnel inspected it for integrity and general condition and 

prepared it for movement into the pre-splice operation. 

Although nearly all missions proceeded smoothly, such sensitive photography required 

preparation for possible mission problems. Early in the satellite reconnaissance program, the 
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In The Words of Those Who Served

government challenged Bridgehead engineers to develop a plan to handle RVs that “splashed down,” 

as opposed to those recovered in the normal snatch recovery manner (under parachute). Designed 

to stay afloat only on a temporary basis, the RVs incorporated a specially designed plug that would 

completely dissolve, allowing the unit to fill with water and sink to ensure unfriendly nations could 

not gain vital information. While still afloat, however, it appeared inevitable that seawater would 

seep into the RV. The government tasked Bridgehead to prepare equipment and procedures capable 

of extracting the exposed negative from this potentially damaged and internally wet unit while 

minimizing loss of imagery. 

To prepare for this possibility, Bridgehead personnel conducted trial runs of possible scenarios such 

as if it would be best to submerge the entire rolls in simulated sea water, leave as received, and slowly 

unwind assisting separation of convolutions where needed, or just wetting areas of the roll that had 

been splashed. In all cases, they assumed that in the area between wet and dry, the emulsion might act 

as glue, making it very difficult to unwind convolutions. To gain experience, they prepared “dummy” 

rolls and simulated “splashed down” conditions to varying degrees to determine best techniques for 

differing conditions. Technicians gained expertise in this assessment, but they also recognized that in 

a real situation, the best procedure could not be predetermined and would need further definition 

following a methodical evaluation and some careful trials. Fortunately, they never needed to apply 

their complicated training about theoretical “splashed down” conditions. Water recoveries occurred for 

single RVs from Corona missions 1012, 1020, and 1042. However, minimal leakage or damage occurred 

in all of these recoveries, and it was not enough to require any unusual procedures other than detailed 

initial inspection. Upon successful return of an RV, Bridgehead personnel followed a sequence of 

processing steps that most generally ran like clockwork, as described in the successive portions below.

Responses to Evolving Reconnaissance Systems

The U.S. reconnaissance community utilized the Corona acquisition system from 1960 to 1972. 

During this period, satellite program engineers also designed and put into operation other overhead 

systems to meet changing intelligence needs. On 17 September 2011, the U.S. Government officially 

declassified two of these systems, the Gambit and Hexagon programs, which required new equipment 

capabilities in Bridgehead operations. Hence, this chapter further sheds light on advancements in 

existing technologies in order to meet the demands of emergent satellite missions.

The separately compartmented K-Program within Eastman Kodak utilized both the Lincoln Plant 

and Hawkeye facilities (non-Bridgehead areas) to design, develop, and produce the Gambit camera, 

used for acquiring specific targets, while Perkin-Elmer Corporation in Danbury, CT produced the 

Hexagon camera as a broad-area search system. Kodak received the contract to design and build 

Gambit’s camera in 1961. According to declassified NRO documents including, The Gambit Story, 

Gambit’s camera possessed an f/4.0 lens with reflecting and refracting elements. It had a 77-inch 

(+/-0.5) focal length with a clear aperture of 19.5 inches. They further compared it to an astronomical 

telescope with a much larger half-field of 3.20 degrees. At an altitude of 90 miles, it produced a 

remarkable two to three foot ground resolution at nadir. The manufacturers designed both camera 

systems to transport ultra thin-based and ultra-ultra thin-based (UUTB) original negative films 

primarily to increase payload size without increasing weight. Gambit possessed a web width of 9.5-

in., and Hexagon’s was 6.6-in.
25

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Film Technologies and Processes 

Despite the security requirement within Special Programs that separated camera developers from 

film processors, each operation successfully functioned to achieve the common goal of supporting 

the Gambit mission. Moreover, the new camera system allowed for successfully integrating some 

existing technologies and processes into an expanding demand for photoreconnaissance imagery. 

For instance, the Bridgehead operation designed most of its equipment to handle web widths 

between 70mm and 9.5-in. in width. Because these UTB and UUTB films were extremely sensitive 

to minor transport irregularities, all of Bridgehead’s equipment that handled ON films had to be 

fine-tuned, or in some cases redesigned, to transport these new film products. The Gambit system’s 

camera carried improved exposing capabilities in frames as short as 3-in. in length and as long as 

several feet with the ability to change exposure settings on a frame-by-frame basis. This capability 

drove the need to be able to adjust ON development on a frame-by-frame basis. 

Other advancements at the Bridgehead production facility optimized program success. For 

instance, they designed and developed dual gamma sensitometry as a significant improvement 

in viscous developer processing. In that regard, it improved the developed image quality of both 

Gambit and Hexagon films. Optical titling was another major development driven primarily by the 

increased size of payloads, the need to minimize the risk of damage to the ON record, and the need 

to eliminate a bottleneck in production operations. Moreover, careful control of the wavelengths 

of light used in exposing ON imagery onto duplicate positive copies during the printing process 

allowed Bridgehead production operations to provide the highest possible image quality transfer 

without compromising efficiency, reliability, and delivery timelines. Another requirement that 

dictated the need to develop new equipment was that of minimizing image distortion during the 

reproduction of imagery acquired on the ON record. A new customer requirement, Geographic Area 

Breakdown, drove the development of sophisticated editing and ultrasonic splicing equipment 

used to breakdown and reassemble processed rolls of Gambit original film into new rolls containing 

images of common geographic areas. Research and development (R&D) efforts accommodated the 

evolving requirements of these satellite systems while also upgrading processing and reproduction 

capabilities to meet program needs.

Pre-Splice

The first step in the film processing and reproduction cycle consisted of the pre-splice stage. Once 

inside the darkened pre-splice room, Bridgehead personnel opened the film recovery vehicle. They 

placed the tail end of the mission film roll (containing the most-recent exposures) on a Pre-Process 

Inspection Table where they spliced on an unprocessed densitometric step wedge for sensitometric 

control, an unprocessed sensitometric sample of the flight film, a length of uniformly exposed film 

for physical Quality Control (QC), and a long ESTAR trailer. The trailer film was long enough to morethan-fill the thread path of the ON processing machine and was already loaded onto the Film Spool 

Dolly. Then, as they slowly un-spooled the film from the RV (with back-tension supplied by a second 

operator) and onto the film dolly for transfer to the processor, the pre-splice operator carefully 

inspected both film edges for any irregularities that might cause subsequent handling problems. 

They carefully managed the transfer rate from the recovery vehicle to the dolly in order to prevent 

the build-up of electrostatic charge on the film and to allow for proper inspection of the film. If they 

encountered any problems—a rare happening—they stopped the unspooling and made repairs 

before the transfer to the dolly resumed. Once they reached the head end of the film roll (containing 

the first exposures), they attached another densitometric step wedge, a uniformly exposed filmstrip, 

and a shorter leader to the film, and moved the pre-spliced roll to the ON processor. 
 26

In The Words of Those Who Served

Figure 7: Pre-Process 

Inspection Table. 

Ground Handling 

Equipment for 

Reconnaissance/

Aerial Photography 

Fact Sheet, May 

1972, produced by 

Bridgehead’s Special 

Programs unit.

Figure 8: Film Spool Dolly. 

Ground Handling Equipment for Reconnaissance/

Aerial Photography Fact Sheet, March 1978, 

produced by Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit.

From time to time, the load returned in an RV 

contained more than one type of film. If a mission 

contained experimental B&W, conventional 

color or color infra-red film, operators identified 

the types in pre-splice by use of a footage 

counter while feeling for the tell-tale film splice, 

as identified in the “roadmap” prepared during 

makeup of the camera film supply roll. When 

this occurred, they removed color films and took 

them to a separate color facility at Lincoln Plant 

for processing (see Color Production Operations 

at Lincoln Plant section).

Photographic Certification

Bridgehead technicians accomplished photographic certification primarily by visual evaluation 

for uniformity in processing and by densitometric measurement of photographic step wedges, 

which they then compared to Master Specification Aims previously established for the respective 

film/chemistry combination. They made these sensitometric step wedges by exposing the film to 

21 logarithmically-graduated segments of exposure on a strip of film (similar to that used on each 

mission) on a specially calibrated stable printing device, designated as the Kodak Sensitometer, Type 

1-B, Model V. Technicians calibrated this sensitometer to a secondary standard available at Kodak 

Park. They aged, froze, and stored the exposed strips until approximately an hour before use, an 

amount of time sufficient to equilibrate with room temperature. Once the exposed strips reached 
27

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

room temperature, the technicians spliced sensitometric strips into the header and trailer (which had 

been prepared earlier), which were then spliced into the mission acquisition film at the pre-splice 

operation and prior to committing the mission to the processor. They applied these same processes 

to the duplication film processors, except there they processed each roll with a sensitometric control 

step wedge made on the duplication films and then took densitometric measurements to aid in 

adjusting chemical replenishment rates.

In order to have an appreciation for the accuracy and precision of the Quality Control 

measurements, Bridgehead engineers and photo scientists conducted studies to examine the total 

system variability of all the component stages. These areas included the variability of the photographic 

film products, the component chemicals of the processing solutions, the composite chemical 

processing solutions, the processing machines, the sensitometric step wedges, the densitometers, 

curve plotting equipment and the QC operator techniques. They used this data to establish stringent, 

but achievable specification aims and control limits. 

Original Negative Processing 

By the time the first Corona mission arrived (1960), Special Programs personnel had upgraded the 

Eltrons to permit the processing of the original negative on a single machine instead of the separate 

Primary and Secondary machines. This processor, called the Speltron (for Special Eltron), incorporated 

both a deep-tank primary developer section 

and a spray secondary developer section. 

All original negatives received the primary 

development, and then a highly skilled 

technician evaluated the film “on the fly” 

before an infrared scanner to determine if the 

film required additional (secondary/tertiary) 

development, or just water, before passing 

through the fixer and wash sections. The 

processor automatically recirculated, filtered, 

temperature controlled, and replenished 

all processing solutions according to preestablished specifications set by operators. 

As part of the plan to expand filmprocessing operations at Bridgehead, 

coupled with the growing success of the 

Corona photoreconnaissance project, 

engineers designed and built two Trenton 

ON film processors. They brought them 

online in 1963.

Figure 9: Trenton Film Processor. 

Photo from archives of Bridgehead’s 

Special Programs unit.
 28

In The Words of Those Who Served

These spray machines had a throughput speed of 20-ft/min., which allowed simultaneous 

processing of the forward and aft Corona camera films—one on each machine. The Trenton 

design provided three levels of development—primary, intermediate, and full on a “trend” basis—

through the use of an infrared scanner and converter tube (a cathode ray tube [CRT] operating 

beyond the spectral sensitivity of the film), which allowed a skilled operator to see the image 

density characteristics after primary development. The operator then manually selected additional 

intermediate or full development for the film length based on the density levels observed on the 

frames of imagery passing through the scanner. Later, installation of electro-optical infrared film 

scanners permitted monitoring minimum density levels on the partially developed imagery at the 

interrupted process point. The scanners sampled eighty 0.1-square-inch silicon solar cells, spaced 

across the film imagery width and illuminated with an infrared source, at the rate of 5,000 samples 

per second, effectively giving 100% coverage of the exposed imagery. Adjustable signal-level trip 

points selected primary, intermediate, or full processing based on the minimum density threshold of 

the imagery. A further variation on this arrangement, called “Trenton Automation,” used a technique 

of trend analysis over time to integrate and effectively average a number of readings before selecting 

a required development level.

Before a mission could be committed to a processor, Bridgehead technicians certified the 

machine to ensure that it was in control and ready to handle the ON film. They certified the Trentons 

using unprocessed sensitometric step wedges exposed on an established standard control film of 

the same type as the film from the recovery vehicle and a uniformly exposed length of the same 

film to certify processing uniformity and physical quality through the processor. Once films were 

processed, technicians used a densitometer (an optical device which measured the opacity or 

density of each gray scale step) to read the step wedge densities and graphed them for comparison 

with the aim specification. They evaluated the uniform density length on a light table to verify 

process uniformity and to certify the processor for physical quality. After technicians certified the 

processor for processing, they spliced the leader of the pre-spliced film roll onto the leader already 

in the processor’s thread path, started the film transport system, and fed the ON into the processor. 

The production workers monitored the processor operation from the head end of the processor 

through the take up end in total darkness or under very low safelight conditions. In case any film 

breaks or malfunctions occurred, Bridgehead operators placed small tanks of stop bath and fixer in 

the processor room for use in salvaging film. 

Black & White Frame-by-Frame Processing

As the satellite reconnaissance program advanced, the Bridgehead workforce developed specialized 

and improved Black & White processing techniques. Soon after operational systems started providing 

high definition, variable length frame-by-frame acquisitions, Bridgehead management recognized 

that they needed a frame-by-frame processing capability. To accomplish this task, research efforts 

defined a method of applying developer in a viscous formulation by combining it with a thickening 

agent made from a water-soluble polymer. In the processor, the film web received primary spray 

development (usually at 90° F) before entering a viscous developer cabinet, which maintained the 

ambient air at the process temperature, and maintained the humidity at a high relative value. While in 

this cabinet, the equipment applied a viscous formulation (also heated to the process temperature) to 

the emulsion side of the film on a frame-by-frame basis. The viscous developer coating was typically 

less than .06-in. thick and over-coated the width of the moving web to ensure complete film-width 

coverage. The application technique used precision coating hoppers, manually engaged for coating 

or retracted when not in use. Because the viscous developer coating had sufficient resistance to shear, 

it maintained a static layer of uniformly concentrated developer. It covered those previously coated 

frames regardless of subsequent physical orientation of the moving web. 
29

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Figure 10: Yardleigh Original Negative 

Film Processor. 

Photo from archives of Bridgehead’s 

Special Programs unit.

The two Yardleigh 

Processors were the first 

production processors to 

use viscous development. 

As in the Trenton Processor, 

the ON received initial 

(primary) development in a 

spray cabinet, and then the 

technician used the equipment 

to arrest development in a stop 

bath. Subsequently, if a frame 

required full development, 

the first coating hopper in the 

processor’s environmentally 

controlled viscous developer 

cabinet would immediately coat it. If only intermediate development was required, it received 

a delayed coating by the second hopper located further along the processor’s web path. That 

arrangement allowed both levels of viscous development to use common squeegee and stop 

stations to end full and intermediate development levels. This overall set-up allowed for a true frameby-frame process level capability at any one of three levels of development.

The earliest applications of this capability in December 1966 required an operator to view 

the film after primary (spray) development via an infrared (IR) viewer and to make a judgmental 

decision based on the overall density of the partially developed image. If he judged the primary 

development level to be satisfactory, he did nothing, which prevented the engaging of the hoppers. 

If he judged that a full level of development was called for, he pushed the “Full” button to engage 

the first hopper for the duration of the frame under development. If he judged that an intermediate 

level of development was called for, he pushed the “Intermediate” button and engaged the second 

hopper for coating at the appropriate time. Technicians timed the coatings applied by the hoppers 

to begin and end at a frame line or space between frames. Nevertheless, the decision process was 

risky and vulnerable to human error. Inevitably, technology advancements allowed automation of 

the process-level decisions.

The ability to scan on a frame-by-frame basis in a processor necessitated two requirements. 

First, it necessitated a “road map tape” available at Bridgehead before arrival of the film record to be 

processed. This tape worked to define how the camera had generated exposed frames. Second, using 

safe light sources, the processor’s scanner needed the capability to detect frame marks exposed in 

the camera system and developed to an adequate density level for detection following primary 

development. These requirements were easily satisfied and allowed the computer-controlled 

developer system to synchronize with the exposed imagery undergoing processing. They then 

scanned the primary developed imagery on a frame-by-frame basis, and depending on scanning 

data, each frame received either no additional development (primary), an intermediate level of 

development, or full additional development. Bridgehead personnel implemented this system in the 

next major upgrade of the Yardleigh Processors. 
 30

In The Words of Those Who Served

The scanners used in the Yardleighs were the same design as those used in the Trentons—eighty 

0.1-in. square silicon solar cells spaced across the width of the film web and illuminated with an 

infrared source. They read the images at the rate of 5,000 samples per second, which effectively 

provided 100% coverage of the exposed imagery. The operators then evaluated the scanned data on 

a frame-by-frame basis using criteria established in research studies and used these criteria to control 

the intermediate and full development hoppers. A highly experienced operator always monitored 

the process decisions made by the scanner algorithms and the frame-mark-detection operations. As 

a precaution, this operator could override the system if necessary.

B&W Dual Gamma Sensitometry

New possibilities in the design of developers resulted from adopting viscous developer processing. 

In addition to the new latitude in designing a desirable sensitometric response (curve shape), the 

Bridgehead team also learned that the edge effects inherent in static layer development could be 

used to improve image micro-contrast. 

 This innovation maintained the broad exposure level necessary to accommodate the highly 

variable brightness conditions at exposure. The final selection of developer design provided a 

high macro-contrast of images that were in limited light situations and an extended low macrocontrast for brighter scenes. These brighter scenes were still of highly acceptable quality due to 

the high micro-contrast provided by static layer development. For many decades, film technology 

experts recognized the existence of “edge effects” in static layer development—a process by which 

the exposed image received additional developing agent energy from areas adjacent to the image 

giving it a “sharp edge.” 

Figure 11: Ideal Sensitometric Curve 

Compared to 3414 Dual Gamma Curve. 

Graphic by T. Havens and J. Havens.

By March 1969, Bridgehead 

utilized newly designed 

equipment and chemistry, and 

the quality of the delivered 

product provided substantial 

improvement. Notably, these 

advancements led to higher 

quality films and the design 

of processing chemicals to 

enhance the quality of the 

acquired image. They also 

expedited the evolution 

of printing and processing 

hardware into a high-volume 

processing and reproduction 

system that ensured not 

only quality but also the 

achievement of output speed, 

efficiency, and reliability. The 
31

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Gambit missions in 1969 first used the dual gamma process, which proved its reliability for processing 

B&W acquisition films from all subsequent Gambit and Hexagon missions.

Figure 12: Hypothetical 

Microdensitometer 

Measurements Showing Edge 

Enhancement 

with Viscous Development. 

Graphic by T. Havens and J. 

Havens.

Optical Titling 

One of the post 

processing operations 

was the manual titling 

and lacquering required 

for placing manreadable information 

on each frame of 

processed imagery. 

These titling operations 

were labor intensive 

and a constriction in 

the overall workflow 

(see a detailed description in the next chapter). Engineering management proposed the concept of 

writing this titling information onto the film in the processor early enough in the process to produce a 

readable and reproducible image. With rapidly improving computer/software technology, along with 

an increased understanding of available satellite acquisition data and specific location information 

about the frame marks exposed during acquisition in all satellite systems, Bridgehead engineers and 

technicians performed studies to explore the possibility of exposing required titling information 

during the development process. In order to accomplish this objective, several issues challenged the 

team members, which led to several questions:

• Could IR sensors, placed in the developer cabinet, possess the capabilities to read 

the location of the start of frame imagery precisely and relatively early in the 

development process?

• Once the operators and their equipment identified frame location, was there 

enough exposure/development time remaining to provide a suitable silver image 

assuming the exposing device would be located in a practical location in the 

processing machine?

• Could the operators and their equipment obtain acquisition data (including orbit 

revolution, frame number, security classification, etc.) over a secure transmission 

link on a timely basis so that the titling instruction tapes would be available at the 

time of processing?

• Could they demonstrate that they could place software in order to synchronize the 

optical titling hardware with the acquisition information (commonly called getting 

in-sync with the roadmap)?
 32

In The Words of Those Who Served

• Could engineers and technicians develop equipment and procedures to correct 

any errors resulting in incorrect title information exposed on the negative?

 The Bridgehead team easily resolved some of these challenges. Other challenges took substantial 

effort. However, the R&D-sponsored Contract Control Board (CCB) eagerly supported the effort and 

provided funding because the perceived payoff was highly significant. By the summer of 1970, 

Bridgehead workers overcame the equipment, software, and procedure challenges and eliminated 

one of the difficult stages of the production process for follow-on acquisition-system film records. In 

August 1970, a portion of Gambit mission 4328 utilized optical titling. By November 1970, Gambit 

mission 4329 utilized all optical titling to meet its titling needs, which led to optical titling for all 

primary B&W acquisition films on subsequent Gambit and Hexagon missions. 
33

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

 Chapter 3

Processed Original Ne

Handli

Primary Inspection of Processed Original Negative Film

The era of black & white reconnaissance photo production involved a number of steps and 

skilled production workers. Once the ON processor’s take-up roll accumulated enough original 

processed film, the steps included separation at “inter-op wraps”1 into shorter lengths called “labcuts;” inspection of lab-cuts at a primary inspection table; and documentation of the ON’s physical 

condition prior to the start of the duplication process. 

The inspection documented any scratches, film artifacts, edge damage, and other abnormalities 

found on the film, and repairs were made as needed. Workers used this inspection as a basis of 

comparison in the final inspection of the original film before they packaged and shipped it to the 

customer. The customer received records of both inspections. During Primary Inspection, operators 

also spliced identification leaders and trailers onto the film. They then printed each lab-cut as one 

large roll to provide copies for initial exploitation (by visiting government personnel) and engineering 

analysis of camera system performance (by visiting government and contractor personnel).

Customer Representatives

From the early days of Kodak’s support to the IC, Lincoln Plant/Bridgehead operations maintained 

a close working relationship with the National Photographic Interpretation Center (NPIC). Prior to the 

arrival and receipt of imagery—from aircraft or satellites—at the Rochester plant, photo-interpreters 

from NPIC were present to perform certain duties. In early programs, they reviewed the processed 

negatives, defined what titling to affix, decided what cloud-covered imagery to edit, and completed 

a quick review and assessment of very high priority targets. They then produced a subjective opinion 

of the quality of the acquisitions. 

As programs matured, the NPIC role changed somewhat to align with program needs. For instance, 

the advent of optical titling, and in the case of Hexagon, the Post Flight Analysis (PFA) performed at 

Bridgehead immediately after the receipt of the RV, reduced the role for these representatives. 

Nonetheless, throughout the many years of these programs, the visiting customer representatives 

continued to play an important role. Over the years, they worked to identify the need for additional 

copies beyond the base number of copies required and indicated special targets that required custom 

duplicates or enlargement briefing prints for the exploitation community. For this purpose, briefing 

materials consisted of paper or transparency enlargements up to 40X, produced on the Kodak 10-

20-40 enlarger. Later in these programs, the Beacon Precision Enlarger (BPE) enabled production of 

high quality enlargements up to 153X from an input target area of .5 to 3.7 inches in diameter and an 

output image area of up to 40 inches X 40 inches.

1 Inter-op (short for “between-operations”) wraps were lengths of unexposed film which resulted from film being 

advanced within the camera as it started up to get into an operational mode or shut down after an operational mode.
 34

In The Words of Those Who Served

Primary Breakdown 

Upon successful printing, processing, and delivery of the lab-cuts to visiting government 

personnel, Bridgehead production workers took the lab-cuts to the Primary Breakdown clean room 

area to be broken down into shorter lengths of film, based upon the acquisition sequence and 

length limitations for a packaged duplicate roll of film. This operation took place on film-handling 

tables equipped with rewind spindles, a diffuse light source for viewing the negative imagery, film 

cutters, and tape splicing mechanisms. Workers removed leaders and trailers previously added for 

lab-cut printing and broke down the ON into 250-ft. lengths (including new leader and trailer) for 

duplication according to a customer-supplied manifest. They also added processed step wedges to 

each end of the ON strips for monitoring and controlling the duplication process. They then spliced 

previously prepared identification headers and trailers onto the head end and tail end sections of the 

ON so that their information would be transferred during the printing function. The identification 

headers contained security information, the mission number, camera (forward or aft) information, 

the orbital pass number, orbit mode (ascending or descending), and the part number. The mission 

necessitated part numbers because many camera imaging operations produced a greater length of 

exposed film on a pass than the length of duplicate film that could be held on a duplicate film spool. 

As a result, the pass had to be broken down into multiple parts. Per customer direction, workers 

edited out any long lengths of imagery that contained 100% cloud cover, labeling and titling them 

as such for inclusion with the shipment of the original films. Finally, they applied corresponding 

labels (generated from the manifest) to the spools of ON for internal tracking and control as they 

were passed to the titling operation.

Figure 13: 30-Inch Editing Table. Ground 

Handling Equipment for Reconnaissance/

Aerial Photography Fact Sheet, September 

1978, produced by Bridgehead’s Special 

Programs unit.

Titling and Lacquering

Once production workers 

broke down the film, they titled 

each frame of imagery with 

security information, mission 

number, camera (either forward or 

aft), pass, date, and specific frame 

number. They relied on specially 

developed “Dual-head Titlers,” 

which used time, temperature, and 

pressure to transfer man-readable 

information from a printing head 

through a tape carrying a transfer pigment designed to adhere to film. Using this process, they 

added both a fixed-field (carried on a disposable embossed plate) and an indexing frame number 

to the ON along one edge of the film web adjacent to each frame. Bridgehead engineers worked 

closely with a tape manufacturer in Brownsville, Texas to adapt a standard, commercially available 

tape for titling. Although Brownsville Titling Tape carried transferable pigment that was soluble in 

alcohol to allow corrections without damaging film emulsions, product variability was a frequent 

problem. Furthermore, manually indexing each frame into position for titling caused a holdup 

in production operations and added an undesirable risk to the ON. Although machine operators 
35

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

expended significant effort to optimize the durability of the titled data while minimizing the extent 

of film embossing, finished titles were vulnerable to flaking and degradation through handling. To 

protect the titled data and ensure that titling pigment did not migrate to adjacent wraps in the film 

roll, they applied a thin continuous coat of clear lacquer over the titles along the edge of the film. 

Technicians accomplished this additional step by moving the titled film roll to an edge-lacquering 

machine (emulsion down) where it applied a continuous strip of lacquer to the underside of the 

horizontal web as it moved at constant speed in contact with a lacquering wheel. Driven by the web, 

the wheel picked up lacquer as it passed through a small reservoir beneath the wheel and carried it 

up to the film, coating the edge-titled data. The lacquer was sufficiently volatile and thinly applied 

to dry quickly into a flexible coating, which allowed rolling of the film shortly after the lacquering 

station. These steps readied the “lacquered roll” of ON film for printing and production handling.

Figure 14: Dual Head Titler. Photo from archives of 

Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit.

This operation was a manual, laborintensive, frame-by-frame titling operation 

that added man-readable information 

adjacent to each frame of ON imagery. The 

successful implementation of optical titling 

removed the manual titling operations as a 

constriction on throughput in the early part 

of mission production. The operation used 

manual titling for corrections and for image 

formats that required special handling.

Ultrasonic Splicing

Initially the operation cut the Corona 

camera 70mm flight rolls from master 

rolls approximately 5000 feet in length. As 

the payload restrictions eased, flight rolls 

increased in length from the initial 3000 feet 

ft. to 5000 feet, supplied as one continuous piece of film. As manufacturing technologies permitted 

decreasing the ESTAR film base thickness from 4 mils to 2.5 mils, the camera systems could carry 

longer lengths of camera film without exceeding payload weight limitations. These changes 

required the development of a splicing technique for joining two 70mm lengths of film. Taping 

two ends together that increased the web thickness at the splice did not work due to thickness 

constraints in the camera film path. 

Kodak’s Film Manufacturing Division developed a method of ultrasonically fusing two ends of the 

70mm film together to form an ultrasonic film splice. After scraping the overlapped areas of all film 

coatings, they made this splice by overlapping the ends by a small amount. Technicians placed the 

overlapped film on an anvil, and as an ultrasonically driven tool passed slowly across the width of the 

film web, they applied sufficient pressure to cause the induced ultrasonic energy to heat and literally 

fuse the two film ends together. This welding action produced a strong splice, but it also splayed out 

a small tab of fused base material beyond both edges of the 70mm margin of the film web. To remove 

the unwanted tabs, they used a circular-shaped cutting tool to nip them off one-at-a-time along with 

a small amount of film within the margin of the film, which resulted in a small circular cutout where 
 36

In The Words of Those Who Served

the splice met each edge of the film web. Sufficiently sophisticated, this ultrasonic splicing operation 

allowed technicians to accomplish the task in a darkroom environment. Laboratory testing of these 

film splices confirmed strength and reliability of the process. Tensile tests indicated that ultrasonic 

splices nearly equaled the strength of un-spliced film base. Kodak’s Film Manufacturing Division used 

ultrasonic splicing to build up all rolls for the Gambit and Hexagon programs. When requested, they 

built up rolls with various types of film to meet customer requirements (e.g. B&W, Color, and Infrared).

Figure 15: Ultrasonic Splice. Graphic by 

R.D. Sherwood.

Bridgehead used ultrasonic 

splicing on processed ON films 

from the Gambit and Hexagon 

programs prior to the production 

of duplicate copies. In those 

applications, the Bridgehead 

production operators separated 

the processed ON between 

frames and then reassembled 

the ON using ultrasonic splices 

to join imagery of the same 

geographic areas. 

Cleaning

Upon completion of titling and lacquering, and prior to duplicating, technicians passed the ON 

through a cleaner/waxer. This apparatus removed foreign matter from both surfaces of the film strip 

and applied a thin coating of protective wax over the emulsion surface of the ON, which worked 

to suppress static buildup in the printing operation and to maintain duplicate print quality. This 

step used a Clinton Cleaner/Waxer, a wide-web machine that used a hydrocarbon-based solvent for 

cleaning. Subsequent cleaning operations throughout the duplication process used the Tacky Roll 

cleaner. This apparatus removed any dirt attached to the film as well as any microscopic film skivings 

that came from the camera film and duplication films as they ran through printer transport systems. 

Bridgehead engineers eventually replaced these cleaners with improved adhesive cleaners and web 

cleaners located on the printers.
37

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Chapter 4

Original Nega

Reproduction 

Process

Black & White Duplicating Films

Another key contribution of Bridgehead’s workforce included innovations in film duplication. 

The photographically processed image exposed in the camera resulted in a negative image. The 

photo interpretation community extracted all critical intelligence information from duplicate 

copies photographically printed from the original camera negative. Duplicating films did not have 

to withstand the physical rigors of flight film, but they did have equally demanding photographic 

image and cleanliness requirements. Bridgehead technicians duplicated the first Kodak Plus X 

Aerocon II camera films onto Kodak Aerographic Duplicating Film 5427. Film manufacturing later 

converted this film to ESTAR base and changed the code to Kodak Aerographic Duplicating Film 

2420. They printed higher definition camera films onto Kodak Fine Grain Aerial Duplicating Film 8430. 

Ultimately, this same film coated on ESTAR support was named Kodak Fine Grain Aerial Duplicating 

Film 2430. Materials science advanced to include regular commercial packaging, rather than B-Boxes, 

which carried and delivered the duplicating films. A pre-established price per roll set the price the 

government paid for the delivered film.

With the reproduction of Gambit and Hexagon original negatives and the increasing resolution 

of acquisition films over the life of the programs, Kodak developed new and more specialized 

duplication films to maximize the transfer of all information on the original negatives to the duplicate 

positives and duplicate negatives.

Figure 16: Densitometer Table. Ground 

Handling Equipment for Reconnaissance/ 

Aerial Photography Fact Sheet, 

September 1976, 

produced by Bridgehead’s 

Special Program unit.
 38

In The Words of Those Who Served

Predicting Printing Conditions

To ensure correct printing conditions, Quality Control operators visually reviewed the overall 

densities of the frames in a roll of processed ON. Using high quality densitometers with 1⁄2-mm 

apertures, they measured minimum and maximum image density in several ON frames to provide 

a statistically sound base for printing exposure calculations. Operators advanced through the roll 

until they noted a significant change in density. Then, they took additional sets of densitometric 

readings. They summarized the readings from each roll and used the midpoint, minimum, and 

maximum densities to make the prediction of printer density. The operators input predictions in 

rotary nomographs in the early days of the program and used this densitometric information to 

predict the First Copy printer intensity. In cases of an extreme range of densities within a roll, the 

prediction process led to recommendations that the roll be broken down into two or more parts or 

that additional “light” or “dark” copies be printed. A First Copy printing ticket with this information 

then accompanied the ON roll to the print room for creation of the First Copy pilot print. As time and 

technologies progressed, this step in the film processing business grew more sophisticated.

Printing 

Bridgehead photo scientists designed film reproduction systems to meet the spatial and tonal 

reproduction requirements of each acquisition film. Each ON film-process combination required its 

own processing and reproduction systems to maximize spatial and tonal image quality in the duplicate 

positives, duplicate negatives, and enlargements produced. Production workers set the printers to the 

exposure conditions indicated on the First Copy or the Print Ticket, and printed multiple rolls of ON onto 

rolls of duplication film up to 1,000 feet in length. QC workers monitored printers similar to the methods 

used for chemical processing, by using various density patches to measure return densities, uniformity, 

and physical surface characteristics. To indicate the total system response, they printed processed 

sensitometric exposures from the specific acquisition film onto the duplicate film and compared then 

to the Master Specification Aims.

The earliest roll contact printers were 

tabletop units designed to print 70mm 

film at 25 ft./min. The printers pressed 

the ON filmstrip into intimate emulsionto-emulsion contact with the unexposed 

duplicate filmstrip, and then passed 

them over a printing drum where a highintensity light exposed the duplicate film. 

Production workers printed and processed 

pilot copies of the ON, which QC evaluated 

and adjusted the printer settings for 

optimum image quality transfer. Then, 

duplication of that part of the ON in 

the numbers defined by the customer 

followed this process. 

Figure 17: Niagara Printer, Model III. 

Image Management Fact Sheet revised 1987, 

produced by Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit.
39

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

At an early stage, Bridgehead management realized that available roll contact printers could not 

satisfactorily meet high production volumes. As a result, Bridgehead engineers and photo scientists 

developed large floor standing machines—Niagara, Redondo, and Kingston Printers—to handle 

up to 9.5-in. wide webs. These printers had many advanced capabilities. To achieve highest spatial 

resolution transfer from the camera film to the duplication film, the printers contained mercury vapor 

light sources heavy in the ultra-violet (UV) portion of the spectrum. Interchangeable light sources 

were among their unique features. Other improved capabilities included special transport features 

for optimum distortion control, viewers to allow operators to see the position of ON frames, looper 

accessories to allow continuous repetitive printing of a short length of ON, copy counters, and 

duplicate film cleaners.

Not sensitized in the red portion of the light spectrum, the B&W duplicating films allowed 

production workers to handle the duplicating films in environments using medium wattage red 

safelights designed for use with this class of films. This feature made operations faster and safer for 

the production crews in both the printing and processing areas. They used up to eight printers in the 

production operation with two to three printers occupying a common printer room suffused with a 

subdued red safelight.

Selective Wavelength Printing (SWP)

In the late 1960s, Kodak researchers and developers worked toward developing higher resolution, 

finer grain acquisition films for the Gambit system and for the planned Hexagon system. Imaging 

scientists recognized the need for higher resolution and finer grain duplicating films. Their goal was 

the highest possible image quality transfer (both spatial and tonal quality) from ON to duplicate 

positive without compromising production efficiency, reliability, and timeliness of multiple copies 

disseminated to the IC.

These photographic duplication films were similar to finer-grained, low-noise, high-resolution 

materials used for microfilming. However, these materials were inherently higher contrast as well 

as “slower” (less sensitive). Therefore, unless an image had an extremely short-range and lowdensity tonal scale (such as selective images acquired with extreme haze or cloud shadow), these 

high contrast materials met only half the requirement. They provided high-resolution transfer but 

“clipped” the tonal scale of all but the lowest contrast images.

Two major developments in contact printer lamp house design, along with the use of viscous 

processing described previously, made it possible to accommodate the inherently higher contrast, 

higher resolution duplicating films. They controlled film response to a lower contrast by only partially 

developing the reproduced image. Viscous development, which employed carefully formulated 

chemistry, provided the necessary precision for incomplete yet reliable development. Thus, they 

achieved somewhat lower contrast, but incomplete development also resulted in a significant 

reduction in the threshold sensitivity of these already inherently “slower” (lower sensitivity) films. 

Loss of photographic sensitivity of these duplicating films required a significant increase either in 

lamp house intensity or unacceptable reductions in production throughput rates. Hence, the first 

major development in lamp house design increased the light output intensity by a factor of four. A 

400 watt (versus 100 watt) mercury arc lamp provided sufficient energy to maintain contact printing 

throughput rates, even when using less than complete development of the higher resolution films. 

The second major development made use of the characteristics of the spectral output from 

the mercury arc lamps. By using custom interference filters, that shift peak density as the angle 

of incidence changes, it was possible to selectively modulate the intensity of the two strong 
 40

In The Words of Those Who Served

wavelengths in mercury arc lamps (365 nanometer and shorter 334 nanometer) changing the ratio 

of intensity, and therefore, the effective contrast of the duplicate. This technique allowed additional 

contrast control by taking advantage of the spectral density of the original print master image and 

the spectral sensitivity of the duplicating films. The mission objectives achieved high contrast when 

printing with wavelengths at or near 365 nanometer. Significantly lower contrast occurred with 

shorter wavelengths near 334 nanometer, and they achieved intermediate contrast levels with the 

proper mix of the two wavelengths. 

Combined advances of higher intensity lamp houses and selective wavelength contrast control 

enabled the production of higher definition images. They accomplished this objective without loss 

of efficiency and without reducing production throughput rates. Subsequent lamp house advances 

and refinements, such as dual lamp houses, Xenon lamps, better filters, and additional optics, offered 

even greater flexibility to maintain or enhance the reproduction quality through custom printing of 

the increasingly higher-definition imagery of later acquisitions. 

November 1970 marked the time Bridgehead production operators achieved the first full 

reproduction copy onto Kodak SO-192 High Resolution Aerial Duplicating Film using SWP contrast 

control. In January 1974, the mission reached another milestone when the 400-watt Redondo Printer, 

with an ABCC (Actinic Butterfly Contrast Control) filter, successfully produced copies using SWP with 

full variable contrast control.

Distortion Control

Some recipients of B&W duplicate copies from Corona and later programs utilized the imagery 

for a generation of topographic maps. Due to the amplification of mapping errors generated by the 

scale and altitude of the photography, these customers had a primary concern that the imagery 

contained the lowest possible degree of distortion. Toward this goal, Kodak’s Bridgehead Design and 

Engineering Department (D&E) developed and utilized special printers designated the “Kingston” 

and the “Linear Gate Printer” to minimize the degree of distortion produced during printing. 

Conventional continuous contact printers typically wrapped the original and duplicate films 

around a drum (typically 12 inches in diameter) to establish contact during exposure. A pressure 

roller against the drum initiated contact between the two webs, which was then sustained by 

a combination of web tension, partial vacuum, and electrostatic and molecular attractions. The 

apparatus broke contact between the two webs subsequent to printing by using a roller to separate 

the negative film from duplicating film while it was still on the drum. The Kingston Printer succeeded 

in minimizing distortion. This printer incorporated a larger diameter print drum (28 inches) into its 

design, which reduced distortion due to the different degrees of curvature of the acquisition film 

while in contact with the duplicate film during exposure. Additionally, to minimize distortion from 

any twisting or pulling in the film path, the Kingston incorporated the use of castor rollers rather 

than fixed rollers into its design. Finally, the Kingston had specially designed variable torque motors 

on supply and take-up spindles to minimize pulling of the film as the radius of the film rolls changed 

during printing. Bridgehead used this printer to produce a limited number of duplicate copies for 

mapping customers. 

Another development effort, the “Linear Gate” printer, further attempted to reduce distortion. 

This printer not only eliminated the distortion caused by exposing over a curved surface but also 

had an attractive design feature that allowed frequent slewing of the ON. This innovation allowed 

exposure of multiple copies of selected imagery in tandem for efficient use of duplicate film. Another 

benefit of this drum-free design was the ability to include energy-measurement devices that allowed 

the design of dynamic exposure intensity control. The design proved to be very practical; however, 
41

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

because of the product development timing and cost, the Bridgehead production system saw limited 

use on Gambit and Hexagon.

The need for distortion-controlled copies generated the development of distortion monitoring. 

To accomplish the requirement, the Bridgehead team drew from techniques developed in the Kodak 

Research Labs, which utilized a procedure that evaluated Moiré patterns produced by matching 

slightly out-of-phase dot patterns. This procedure called for printing a dot pattern screen (e.g., 1000 

dots/inch) and placing the processed duplicate print in contact with a slightly different dot pattern 

screen (e.g., 999 dots/inch). Technicians evaluated the interference pattern (Moiré), entered it into 

a vector analysis program and compared the resultant average (Root Mean Squared or RMS) value 

against established limits on distortion for the duplicate copies. They conducted this test cyclically—

every two hours of low distortion copy production—to determine quality and certification of the 

copies for shipment to mapping customers.

Duplicate Film Processing

In the early days of the Corona program, duplicate film processing occurred on three relatively 

slow processors at Lincoln Plant. These machines were designated the Model III, Drape, and Kongo. 

The Drape was a deep-tank machine. The Model III had a spray developer section and deep-tank 

finishing sections. The Kongo was an experimental all-spray machine used as a backup to the other 

machines. All three processors ran at a nominal 20 ft. per minute. 

Figure18: Dalton Duplicate Film Processor. Photo from 

archives of Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit.

When Bridgehead came on line (early 1960s), 

production workers processed duplicate films 

in spray Dalton Processors, 25 ft.-long machines 

designed to run at 100 ft./min. Two Dalton 

machines came on line in 1962 and were the first 

processors designed and built specifically for 

high speed duplicate film processing. Technicians 

prepared chemical processing solutions in a 

new mix room facility capable of supplying both 

duplicate and ON processors (Trentons), which 

came on line at Bridgehead approximately one 

year after the Daltons. 

Technicians sealed exposed (printed) 

duplicating films in light-tight film cans and 

moved them to the Dalton Processor room for 

processing with print tickets accompanying 

each roll. In the processor room, machine 

operators systematically accomplished highvolume duplicate film processing on the Dalton 

Processors in a safelight environment. They 

spliced a sensitometric wedge and a uniformly 

exposed length of duplicating film onto the head 

of each roll prior to placing each roll on a supply 
 42

In The Words of Those Who Served

spindle and mounting it on the feed stand of one of the processors. (A feed stand included supply 

spindle supports—holding a roll of film to be processed—and a splicer for attaching rolls of film 

together.) They stopped the feed when a film spool on the feed stand was almost empty, allowing 

the accumulator at the processor’s feed end to continue supplying the processor. They spliced the 

head end of the next roll to the tail end of the roll already fed into the processor (this typically took 

about 20 seconds). Finally, they mounted the new roll and spindle on the supply spindle holder, and 

released the brake, where upon the accumulator returned to its full position. 

Repeating this carefully timed procedure for each roll of unprocessed film enabled continuous 

operation of the duplicate film processors. At the take-off end of the processor, a second accumulator 

filled up when the operator stopped the film take-up to make a cut. The operator cut the film when 

it filled up a 1000-ft.-capacity take-up spool, making those cuts at the end of a printed part or at 

the sensitometric wedge. The Quality Control group certified and maintained these processors to a 

specific sensitometric aim. They used MacBeth densitometers with 3mm spots for densitometry of 

the processed sensitometric control strips previously exposed on a 1-B Sensitometer. The QC group 

evaluated the control strips with each master roll of dupe film processed throughout the duration of 

the mission processing cycle. They used this information to adjust developer replenishment rates. 

With the introduction of viscous development, it was not necessary to process these 1-B sensitometric 

control strips as often. The operations also used large-spot MacBeth densitometers for this purpose. 

After matching the print tickets with the processed roll, they sent both items to Duplicate Inspection. 

Duplicate Film Inspection

QC technicians evaluated each roll of processed duplicate film for image quality and physical 

quality. At Duplicate Film Inspection, production workers removed any sensitometric wedges and 

uniformly exposed filmstrips, and sent them to QC for evaluation. Production workers then broke 

down the film into shorter rolls. 

The Duplicate Film Inspection operation included two phases: a “First Copy” evaluation and a visual 

inspection. In First Copy evaluation, a QC technician examined the first copy printed of each segment 

of the ON for density range and contrast to verify the print prediction made at the densitometry 

stage. If the QC technician approved of the density range and tonal mapping, the approved First 

Copy allowed operators to print all additional copies using these First Copy printing conditions. If the 

images on the roll did not meet densitometric criteria, QC calculated a new set of printing conditions 

for the subsequent printing of a new pilot First Copy. They repeated this pilot print and inspection 

process until QC approved one or more sets of printing conditions for that specific roll. In some 

circumstances, the density range of the ON throughout the roll was so great that they produced and 

sent special “light” and “dark” copies with the nominally exposed roll. The image quality evaluation 

also included a quantitative evaluation using the imagery and sensitometric control patches to verify 

that the duplicates were within the control points established for that reproduction system. QC also 

evaluated the image under high magnification to verify there were no mechanical problems in the 

printing and processing functions, which potentially affected spatial image transfer.

Duplicate Film Inspection also ensured the integrity of the physical quality, without compromise. 

QC technicians looked for proper tracking, processing artifacts, scratches, and any other physical 

damage to the duplicate film roll that could affect exploitation or any other imaging uses of the 

film. They also tested duplicate films to verify proper “fixing” and washing to ensure archival keeping. 

After establishing final printing conditions, operators started the high-volume production of 

multiple copies of each approved roll—a roll being a specific pass and part number as determined at 

breakdown. Priority shipment requirements dictated the number of copies produced at a time, with 

production of first priority shipments naturally preceding lower priority shipments. 
43

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Finally, production workers in the Duplicate Inspection area broke down the long processed 

rolls of duplicate positives or negatives. Inspectors provided a final physical inspection and a final 

densitometric control measurement of each broken-down roll. Then, they applied labels containing 

the roll identification information and copy number to the film spool and enclosed the wound spool 

in a plastic bag, inserted it into a metal can, and applied another label to the outside of the can and 

the lid. They forwarded the completed roll to the Production Shipping Office (PSO) for manifesting 

and packaging. In the mid-1960s, advancements in materials engineering included replacement of 

plastic bags and metal cans with heavy-duty plastic cans produced in Kodak Park.

Briefing Board Production

During mission production operations, customer photo interpreters took up residence in 

the Bridgehead production area in order to examine lab-cuts for earliest identification of needed 

enlargements of selected targets. The photo interpretation community chiefly utilized contact (1:1) 

transparencies. However, they also utilized enlargements—usually printed in sizes of 11x14, 16x20, 

20x30, or 30x40 inches—for briefing purposes. In some cases, they used enlarged transparencies but 

relied most frequently on 11x14 inch paper prints. The enlargements were from three to 153 times 

magnification depending on the nature of the target. 

Figure 19: 10-20-40X Enlarger. Photo from archives of 

Bridgehead’s Special Program’s unit.

Enlargement Printing

Bridgehead engineers and technicians 

designed and built Briefing Board Enlargers, for 

the production of high quality enlargements. They 

specifically designed these enlargers to provide 

careful handling of original film rolls from 35mm 

to 9.5 inch widths. In the beginning of the Corona 

program, engineers designed, built, and utilized 

the Kodak 10-20-40X Enlarger for these three 

magnifications. 

 By the mid-1960s, the Corona program 

utilized the breadboard Beacon Precision Enlarger 

(BPE). This early proof-of-performance unit had 

several lenses with very high quality state-ofthe-art optics. It printed from input target areas 

of approximately 0.5 x 0.5 to 3.7 x 3.7 inches, 

producing enlargements of from three to 153X. 

The BPE, similar to the 10-20-40X Enlarger, 

incorporated the use of a liquid-gate film platen 

for the original film. The liquid gate consisted 

of two glass platens which sandwiched the 

target original film and a non-wetting liquid (tetrachloroethylene) that closely matched the index 

of refraction of the original film. They used this liquid to fill-in fine scratches, prevent any optical 

anomalies at the glass platen/film boundaries, and fill in any other anomalies in the surface of the 
 44

In The Words of Those Who Served

film, which prevented the objectionable enlargement of anomalies during printing. Special Programs 

engineers adapted liquid gate technology from techniques developed by the Kodak Research Labs 

for use in commercial motion picture duplication printers. A vacuum easel board held the duplicate 

film/paper sheets in a very stable and flat position during exposure. Later in the program, engineers 

modified the easel to hold a 9.5 in.-width roll film adaptor to produce enlarged color transparencies.

Figure 20: Beacon Precision Enlarger. 

Photo from archives of Bridgehead’s Special Program’s unit.

Enlargement Processing

Bridgehead technicians processed enlargements in an off-line operation, except for roll 

transparency prints, which they processed on conventional processors. They processed briefing 

board sheets in commercial processing equipment such as the Kodak Roller Transport Processor, 

the Automat Black & White and Color Processor, the Kreonite roller transport Color Processor, 

and the Startech Processor, modified for B&W paper prints. Personnel inspected and certified 

the finished Briefing Boards in the Photo Enlargement Area and forwarded them to the PSO for 

inclusion in the regular customer shipments.

Final Inspection of the Original Film 

After fulfilling all the duplication requirements, Bridgehead QC technicians re-inspected the 

original camera film for any physical artifacts and compared results to the primary inspection 

previously received after processing. Once they completed inspection, they wound the ON onto 

250-ft. spools oriented with heads out. Very methodically, they labeled each spool, inserted it into a 
45

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

plastic bag, placed it in a metal can with a metal lid, and after sealing it with tape, they labeled both 

the can and the lid and delivered it to the Production Shipping Office for packaging. QC summarized 

and shipped the supplied inspection results to the customer. Moreover, they also evaluated their 

methodologies in-house to determine how to improve the production system. 

Post-Flight Analysis 

During the Corona years, a team consisting of key players collaborated to evaluate the 

performance of the camera system, film, and all other components of a completed mission. This 

Post Flight Analysis (PFA) team consisted of representatives from the program office, the camera 

contractor, NPIC, and film suppliers and processors from Bridgehead. One or two people from 

Bridgehead represented Kodak as supplier of the ON film roll and the processing and reproduction 

at Bridgehead. They completed that evaluation either at Itek (the Corona camera manufacturer) or at 

a government facility. Bridgehead employees made minimal contributions toward the evaluation of 

Gambit missions. In anticipation of Hexagon on-orbit life and becoming the IC’s main search system, 

planning went ahead to allow for evaluation of the performance of this active satellite system on 

an expedited time schedule. In addition to evaluations of the hardware and film that might suggest 

changes in system instructions, the mission often identified a need for early interpretation of high 

priority targets. To meet these requirements, Bridgehead facilities engineers set up an area within the 

Bridgehead security perimeter for a PFA team to make its evaluations. 

The PFA Team gathered according to a schedule that paralleled the receipt of a recovered film RV. 

Bridgehead then provided this team with an initial duplicate positive of the “as taken” film record. 

Occasionally, NPIC asked for the separation of a portion of the “last photographed” images from the 

recovered roll, processed first, and a single duplicate positive prepared as soon as possible because 

of the highly desirable coverage contained in those images. NPIC personnel then performed an initial 

photo interpretation of these high-interest areas. The Bridgehead member on the PFA team served 

also as the liaison for communication between the team and the Bridgehead organization. In addition 

to providing a complete as-photographed copy for the PFA Team, the interpretive community 

frequently requested Bridgehead workers to provide micro densitometry and enlargements of 

specific areas and other items of interest. The PFA Team worked around the clock until they completed 

their evaluations—a task that always required several days of coordinated effort.

47

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Chapter 5

Color Production 

at Lincoln

During the early 1960s, and throughout the era of black & white film production, the U.S. 

Intelligence Community expressed an interest in experimenting with multi-spectral signatures 

via color film products. As a result, the CIA requested that Kodak research and design color films 

suitable for use in Corona. Earlier experiments with commercial color films, such as Ektachrome and 

Kodacolor films in ground test cameras, indicated that they would not be suitable due to their low 

image resolution. They tested Kodachrome film since it had adequate resolution but abandoned the 

possibility because of its complex processing requirements. Thus, the CIA asked Kodak to pursue 

the development of color film products with improved resolving power. Kodak chose to develop a 

color positive film of the Ektachrome type. The possibility existed to reduce the granularity and thus 

improve resolving power at the trade-off of film speed similar to that accomplished with B&W aerial 

film products. 

Throughout the decade of the 1960s, several color film advancements took place. In 1964, 

Kodak introduced the first color acquisition film: Kodak Aerial Color Film SO-121, a high definition 

Ektachrome Aero product on 2.5 mil ESTAR base. This film had a speed, expressed in Aerial Exposure 

Index (AEI), of six and a resolving power of 160 lines/mm. Over the course of approximately five years, 

Kodak improved upon both film speed and resolution. In 1969, they introduced a high definition 

improved version of SO-121 as SO-242 with an AEI of two and resolving power of 200 lines/mm. 

Customer photographic interpreters experimented with matching these color films with B&W 

images, producing stereo pairs of imagery in order to obtain a mix of the higher resolution B&W 

image with the multi-spectral identity enhancement of the color image. 

Color Pre-splice 

During pre-splice operations, workers metered and separated the different types of black & white 

and color films, splicing them onto separate take-up rolls or dollies. This increased efficiency by 

enabling managers to schedule the resources needed for processing in the appropriate machines 

with the proper processing chemistry. After they separated the color film portion of any payload from 

the B&W portion at Pre-Splice, they placed it in lightproof containers and sent it to Kodak’s Lincoln 

Plant facility where other workers accomplished the steps of processing and duplicating of the film.

Color Acquisition Film Processing

Color acquisition film processing followed a certain methodology to achieve its results. Prior 

to receipt of the color acquisition film, a QC team determined the processing specification for the 

particular color film. This step included arranging the chemistry and the mechanical configuration of 

the processing machine for both the acquisition film and the duplication film. Color film processes 

required slightly more seasoning (the processing of film to stabilize the chemistry) than B&W film 

processes. Color film processes also required higher chemical concentration replenishment rates due 
 48

In The Words of Those Who Served

to the greater oxidation potential of color chemicals as compared to the B&W chemicals. During this 

operational phase, technicians in this department also determined the initial printer settings in order 

to minimize lead-time once the time-critical mission arrived. 

Upon the acquisition of the films, technicians conducted the film processing in a deep-tank 

sinusoidal-path machine called the Grafton, an apparatus assembled from spare components 

unearthed at Kodak Park—an innovation similar to the assembly of early B&W film processors. Within 

this apparatus, they used Ektachrome motion picture chemistry ME-4, modified to obtain a variable 

contrast throughout the tonal scale along with enhanced edge sharpness. The complexity of the 

multilayered color film eliminated many of the process control methodologies available for B&W 

processing. Technicians also employed a chemical pre-hardener stage in the processing sequence to 

condition the relatively soft color emulsion, thus enabling the film to survive the numerous rollers in 

the processing machine. 

Figure 21: Grafton Color Film 

Processor. Photo from archives 

of Bridgehead’s Special 

Programs unit.

As noted in the 

previous chapter, the 

Bridgehead facility and 

its workforce included 

its customer base within 

its facilities. Immediately 

after the processing of 

the original positive 

(OP), a team of several 

customers from the 

photo interpretation 

community inspected it 

for targets of interest. In 

the Gambit and Hexagon 

program, this customer 

base included contractor 

representatives. These 

customer representatives 

worked to identify the 

need for additional copies 

beyond the base number 

of copies required, 

which indicated special 

targets that required 

custom duplicates and 

enlargement briefing prints for the exploitation community. For this purpose, briefing boards consisted 

of paper or transparency enlargements, up to 40X, produced on the Kodak 10-20-40X-Enlarger. Later 

in the program, a breadboard Beacon Precision Enlarger (BPE) enabled production of high quality 

enlargements, up to 153X, from an input target area of 0.5 to 3.7-in. in diameter and an output area 

of up to 40 x 40-in.
49

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Color Dry Operations and Duplication

The steps in the production cycle for color film were similar to those followed for black & white 

films. These steps included a Primary Inspection procedure that carefully inspected the color OP 

for any physical defects and “camera frame mark data.” In the Primary Breakdown procedure, the 

Bridgehead workforce prepared titling information, which consisted of the proper frame number, 

frame marks, and orbital revolution number, and later transferred the information to the OP via 

pigment transfer tape on the Kodak Dual Head Titler. They spliced leader and trailer segments of clear 

film onto the OP and placed it into labeled containers. They separated Hexagon and Gambit rolls 

according to geographic area. The customer provided direction as to the duplication requirements, 

indicating the geographic area and number of copies requested by various users. They conducted a 

Secondary Breakdown procedure and densitometrically analyzed each can of OP. At that point, they 

added a “patch” segment of film to each can for Quality Control purposes. Finally, they cleaned the 

OP rolls prior to printing. 

Color Printing

Bridgehead operators accomplished the printing on specially designed roll contact printers. They 

first used the Niagara Printer, a printer with its single mercury lamp, similar to a B&W printer, but 

with a color modification kit. The kit consisted of a tri-color drawer, which adjusted the color balance 

and intensity of the Red, Green, and Blue (RGB) filter strips by laying neutral density filters over the 

respective red, green, and blue color filter segments. Later in the program, Bridgehead engineers 

introduced a printer designed specifically for color known as the Rainbow Printer. This machine 

possessed three lamps—each projecting through a red, green, or blue filter—with individual 

power supplies that allowed variations according to the need to adjust for proper color balance and 

exposure. 

Other advancements included achieving color positive duplicates using Ektachrome Color 

Duplicating Film, SO-360—a reversal film that produced a positive duplicate in one generation. 

They processed the SO-360 in the Grafton processor and used modified Ektachrome-type chemistry, 

similar to that used for the acquisition film. The technicians took densitometric measurements of 

the OP to establish initial printer settings for each roll, and they created a pilot duplicate print to 

determine the final color balance and density for each roll of OP.

Toward the end of the Corona program, and throughout the Gambit and Hexagon programs, 

the Bridgehead team conducted testing using a color duplicating film consisting of the acquisition 

emulsion on a 4-mil base. The inherently high contrast of an acquisition emulsion necessitated the 

need for a means to reduce the total system contrast of this product. They incorporated the technique 

of pre-flashing the film prior to printing, which reduced the contrast to that required for duplication. 

Pre-flashing, a procedure developed in Kodak’s commercial printing labs, consisted of subjecting the 

color dupe film to uniform, balanced light exposure over the entire roll of duplicate film stock prior 

to printing. This technique resulted in a duplicate film with the greater resolution characteristic of 

an acquisition film but with an acceptable total system contrast and tonal range. It also resulted in 

duplicate copies superior to those produced with the conventional color duplication films. 

51

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

 Chapter 6

Mission Re

Functions, E

Engineering

Contractual St

Shipping Office

In the realm of classified information and the handling of documents, every role player in the 

operation’s chain was vital to ensuring national security. In order to prevent the compromise of 

sensitive information and its falling into the wrong hands, the Bridgehead team took no task or issue 

lightly. The Production Shipping Office stringently followed a set of procedures to ensure not only 

the efficiency of their role in product handling and delivery, but also, and most critically, the security 

of the classified cargo. They served to coordinate shipping requirements as specified by the customer 

to Production Operations and prepared the finished products for shipment. 

Prior to mission arrival, Corona operatives sent a secure message to Bridgehead detailing which 

customers would be receiving specific products and quantities by geographic area. They generated a 

mission requirements letter describing these requirements, the number of copies, the copy numbers 

and the priority for completion. Considering the very large number of copies generated and the 

absence of computerized production control systems, the PSO undertook a major task to ensure the 

correctness of all shipments.

Figure 22: Typical 259-ft. MS 

26565 Aerial Film Spool with 

storage can and cover. 

Photo courtesy D. Schoessler.

The finished product 

consisted of 250-ft. lengths 

of processed film wound 

on five-inch diameter MS 

26565 Aerial Film Spools 

comprised of sturdy metal 

cores and flanges. The PSO 

workers followed a time tested and proven systematic approach to handle this cargo. They packaged 

each roll in a durable metal storage can that securely held the spool. In turn, they sealed each can 

with an industrial-strength adhesive tape, placed it in a close-fitting corrugated cardboard box and 

secured it with tape. Finally, they packed these boxes in heavy-duty corrugated cardboard cartons—

six 9 1⁄2-in. rolls to a carton or twenty-four 70mm rolls to a carton. The workers methodically taped 

the cartons shut, labeled them for the addressee, and wrapped a protective band around each one. 

They then assembled the cartons by priority. PSO utilized a color-coded address system, devised 
 52

In The Words of Those Who Served

for identifying customers receiving film shipments. The PSO procurement specialists obtained Avery 

Easy Peel Labels, in every color available, and designated each customer by a unique color or unique 

color combination. The workers attached these labels (without inscription) to each film carton, and 

the labels served as the only indicators of a carton’s delivery address—only personnel who had access 

to the color code designator could identify the recipients of these shipments.

As the shipment priority neared completion, Bridgehead representatives notified the customer, 

and the USAF dispatched a military aircraft to the Rochester International Airport to pick up the 

delivery. Bridgehead workers loaded the cartons of processed film on the same nondescript truck 

that had earlier picked up the RV, and took them to the Rochester airport. There, they transferred 

the cartons to the aircraft at Bravo Pad, and USAF crews flew them to Andrews AFB for distribution 

to customers. The National Photographic Interpretation Center in Washington, DC received the first 

priority shipment. Lower priority shipments that did not make the first-priority flight shipped on a 

later military aircraft sent specifically for that purpose. Typical shipments, resulting from processing 

and reproducing a single Corona mission, totaled a few tons. 

Figure 23: Bridgehead Shipping Room. 

Photo from archives of Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit.

Bridgehead returned empty Corona Recovery Vehicles to their shipping containers, trucked them 

to the Rochester Airport, and sent them via military aircraft back to General Electric Company in 

Valley Forge, PA. Corona operatives also assigned Bridgehead a color code and marked all the “B 

Boxes” awaiting packing with camera film loads with the Bridgehead color code. Before reusing these 

containers for return shipments, they removed the Bridgehead label and applied the new one. The 

applied labels adhered extremely well to the metal boxes; thus someone had the difficult task of 

removing them with an electric drill and rotary wire brush!

The Shipping Office procedures and protocols were similar for the Gambit and Hexagon missions. 

With the Hexagon missions, the volume of films prepared, packaged, and shipped was significantly 

higher due to the larger film loads per Recovery Vehicle.
53

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Production Control Group

The evolution and modernization of equipment and techniques affected various support 

departments in Bridgehead’s operations over time. The Production Control Group (PCG) operations 

symbolized the arrival of technological advancements similar to many businesses on the threshold 

of the computer era. Workers adapted to computer technologies as replacements for more laborintensive paperwork systems became available. The PCG operated Production Control and provided 

the work order preparation, in-process tracking, and order-fulfillment documentation necessary to 

meet customer timelines. The group used a hardcopy order system to specify the number and type 

of duplicate copies to make from each roll of original negative. Upon approval of the printer settings 

for a roll, they prepared and sent individual “print ticket” work-orders for each additional copy to 

the print room. PCG tracked the status of each print ticket manually on a special status board in the 

Duplicate Inspection work area. As they completed each roll, they signed off on the print ticket and 

updated the status board. Toward the end of the program, computer-readable punch cards replaced 

print tickets, and the department automated the monitoring and label printing steps. 

Quality Control

As an effective business that guaranteed a valuable, quality product to its customers, the 

Bridgehead operation included a team assigned to monitor process variables and the meeting of 

quality standards. Quality Control established and maintained all standards for all film classification, 

processing equipment, reproduction equipment, instrumentation, and chemical processing 

solutions used in production. Responsibilities included certifying and monitoring all processors and 

reproduction equipment, inspections of original films, densitometric data collection, print exposure 

predictions, “first copy” certifications, and end-to-end sensitometric control of the production 

streams. Each production stream had components certified to common sensitometric aims, which 

allowed the printing of rolls on any printer and processed on any processor designated for that 

specific tone reproduction system. This procedure allowed for very efficient use of resources.

Micro-Densitometry 

Bridgehead technicians used micro-densitometry as another tool to study and manage the 

image quality of the system. The microdensitometer utilized an extremely small spot size, typically 

a one micron slit aperture. This aperture size made possible the accurate reading of edge profiles 

and resolution targets for evaluation of as-taken imagery, as-processed imagery, and as-printed 

imagery, allowing evaluation and analysis of image quality at critical steps in the development of 

new processes and operationally in the acquisition and ground reproduction cycle.

The technicians accomplished micro-densitometry off-line using a scanning microdensitometer. 

With this equipment, it allowed orientation of imagery to the scan for the independent measurement 

of either longitudinal or lateral resolution. The technique allowed evaluation of resolutions up to 

1,000 lines per millimeter, making it possible to evaluate proposed changes or improvements to the 

acquisition and ground processing operations. High resolution was essential, not only to evaluate 

the quality of duplicate copies, but especially for obtaining the quality of duplicate enlargements. 

When the enlargement capability for creating briefing boards went from 10X to 150X, extremely high 

image quality was essential to guarantee acceptable results.
 54

In The Words of Those Who Served

Production Staffing

The Bridgehead production operations encompassed all aspects of handling, processing, 

duplicating, and shipping film products to the customer. It included core Production Operations, 

Quality Control, Maintenance, Chemical Control, Environmental Control, and the Production Shipping 

Office. Additionally, Security and Administrative Services supported these groups. 

In the early days of the U-2 program, the core production operation was comprised of 

approximately 50 highly trained operators, technicians, and engineers. In the 1960s, as the Corona 

program came on-line and the scope of production support became better defined, staffing grew to 

100-130 personnel. Their responsibilities included equipment operations, maintenance, integration 

of new technologies and improved processes, and preparations for the next Corona mission arrival. 

When a mission arrived at Bridgehead, all production personnel worked twelve-hour days with 

operations on two shifts to provide 24-hours/day production operations for the duration of the 

mission. This routine lasted between two to four weeks depending on the frequency of missions. 

During peak production periods, another 30-40 personnel, who normally held other jobs within the 

Special Programs Bridgehead organization and specially trained in one or more areas of production, 

supplemented the core group to meet production timelines. By 1975, the total complement of all 

Bridgehead operations and support reached its highest level of 535 personnel. 

Figure 24: Bridgehead B&W Chemical Mix and Storage Room 

with Distribution and Replenishment Panels at Left. 

Ground Handling Equipment for Reconnaissance/

Aerial Photography Fact Sheet, July 1977, 

produced by Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit.
55

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Processing Chemicals: Mixing and Certification

Workers with a range of abilities, talents, and educational backgrounds comprised the stable 

workforce at Bridgehead, including chemists and others trained in chemical sciences. The Bridgehead 

projects used chemical solutions for processing and finishing the original films and for duplicating 

films based upon Kodak formulations. Technicians prepared the solutions from raw chemical 

components in a large mix room specially designed to handle preparation, storage, and supply of 

these chemicals to the processors. Several days before receipt of each mission RV, technicians mixed 

chemical solutions such as developers and fixers, as well as auxiliary chemical solutions in the case of 

color chemistry, in their respective high-volume tanks and certified them. 

Figure 25: Processing Specification Sheet for SO-206 on the Trenton Processors. 

From archives of Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit.

 Testing consisted of processing a few hundred feet of film, similar to that used for the mission, 

along with three sensitometric strips on both the head and tail portion of the test run. They read 

the sensitometric strips on a densitometer, plotted the readings to produce a sensitometric curve; 

the Hurter and Driffield (H&D) curve (plot of density vs. exposure or D-Log E Curve) and compared 

it to the master curve on a specification sheet. Each film type and chemistry combination had a 

previously designated Processing Specification Sheet developed by QC personnel, which they based 

on extensive testing and evaluations months in advance of the mission receipt. They repeated this 

photographic testing until the test strips matched the respective specifications within established 
 56

In The Words of Those Who Served

tolerances. The personnel repeated this certification the day before mission arrival and again before 

they committed the mission acquisition film for actual processing. 

In addition to the sensitometric certification, several hundred feet of uniformly exposed film 

were processed and analyzed to verify processing uniformity. Moreover, they processed several 

hundred feet of uniformly exposed (flashed) film in order to determine that they achieved chemical 

equilibrium with the respective chemical replenishment rates utilized for the specific product/process 

combination—a procedure known as “chemical seasoning.” After the QC technicians sensitometrically 

certified the film processor, and it was chemically seasoned, it was capable of processing thousands 

of feet of film with a high degree of sensitometric stability. The need for seasoning the processor 

was not required with later B&W viscous development. Technicians tested the individual chemical 

components of the processing solutions by chemical analyses of each critical component and 

compared results to the designated Chemical Mix Formulation Sheet, in order to certify the mix. 

Duplicate Film Classification, Identification Strip Preparation, and 

other Pre-Mission Preparations 

The mission always required advance preparation for the inevitable upswing when a successful 

satellite mission reached completion. Two examples of ongoing work included identification strip 

preparation and the duplicate film department responsibilities. Bridgehead workers prepared 

“idents” (short for identification strips) before receipt of a mission using information supplied by the 

customer. They exposed fixed-field information on filmstrips, processed in advance, and retained for 

attachment to individual sections of the ON, such that the total length of each roll did not exceed 

250-ft. They manually added information unique to each film roll to the idents. Eventually, as the 

era of computers dawned, Special Programs engineers designed and built an “Ident Printer” that 

automated much of this task.

An outsider could also witness the continued flurry of activity in the duplicate film department. 

The Bridgehead team built up inventories of duplication films in the intervals between missions. They 

sampled and evaluated films for sensitometric characteristics and grouped them into similar classes 

for sensitivity, and then stored them in a stable 40 degree F. controlled environment. These steps 

allowed production to minimize variation in the reproduction processes.

Maintenance

Special Programs created a dedicated group of approximately twenty individuals who took 

responsibility for maintaining the unique film processing equipment used in operations at both 

Hawkeye and Lincoln Plant. These personnel possessed the advantage of working closely with 

Design and Engineering personnel who, in addition to having designed much of the equipment, had 

overseen its fabrication, installation, and checkout. 

The Maintenance Group specialized in areas such as chemical mixing, tempering, recirculation, 

and solution delivery systems, including viscous developer handling systems. During the roundthe-clock mission operations, maintenance personnel provided continuous support. In addition to 

equipment maintenance, Kodak’s workforce included the Facilities & Maintenance Organization, 

which handled building maintenance and facility-type installations using individuals cleared to enter 

secure Bridgehead areas.
57

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Figure 26: Bridgehead Maintenance Shop. 

Photo from archives of Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit.

Utilities and Waste By-products 

Electrical Power—Early in the plan for the Hawkeye Plant, Kodak obtained an agreement with the 

local electrical power supplier (Rochester Gas and Electric Corp.) to provide a direct feed of preferred 

power from a local generating plant. Because of the high level of importance to the Bridgehead mission, 

they dedicated the preferred power feed for operating ON processors and their supporting equipment.

Water—Because of the sheer size of the photographic processing facility, Bridgehead used 

substantial amounts of water for preparing chemical processing solutions, cleanup of wet areas, 

and temperature control of processing solutions in processors. Water needed for temperature 

control came from a tempered, closed-loop water supply in the Hawkeye facility where equipment 

continuously re-circulated and reused the controlling water. By design, this process promoted water 

conservation and greatly reduced processing effluent and a potential security issue.

Exhaust Systems–A number of pieces of equipment used at Bridgehead required exhaust systems 

to handle excess heat, chemical vapors, and chemical dust. Technicians installed and operated all 

exhaust systems in accordance with evolving EPA standards while avoiding any security issues.
 58

In The Words of Those Who Served

Wastewater Treatment Plant: Effluent Handling and Certification 

From the early days of the processing and reproduction activity, right through the active period of 

Corona and beyond, Bridgehead managers always paid attention to the effluent the plant generated. 

The attention it received grew as the program expanded. They consistently evaluated three aspects, 

and a primary concern was security. This received utmost attention with the possibility that local 

routine testing by government agencies might identify the existence of a large photo-processing lab. 

Secondly, they routinely addressed the valuable discharges of silver, a common practice for any stateof-the-art photo lab. They applied unsophisticated methods (ion exchange) for recovering a good 

percentage of the silver headed for the waste stream. Lastly, Kodak invested heavily in reducing the 

pollutants in its waste stream, and the program actively stayed informed of available improvements. 

This investment was in response to a growing national awareness about damage to the environment 

caused by the manufacturing and service industries. 

In the 1950s and early 1960s, when nationwide attention to pollution in public streams was in its 

infancy, Kodak undertook no major photo lab initiative at Lincoln Plant to address effluent treatment. 

Volumes at the photo lab had not experienced a substantial increase at that time. Unlike a relatively 

large electroplating laboratory at Lincoln supporting an unclassified project that was tested for the 

cyanide waste it was producing, the photo lab volumes did not attract attention.

It was not until the primary processing activity experienced a major increase and moved to 

Hawkeye that the effluent stream received substantially more attention—primarily because of the 

security issue. Bridgehead staff solved the problem through simple, but effective, technology. They 

collected the “bad actors” from the waste stream in holding tanks and transported them to Kodak 

Park in a program-leased tank truck. There, they deposited them in existing large treatment systems, 

thus making the volumes from Hawkeye insignificant in Kodak Park’s total effluent treatment system. 

Effluent Management

One example of Kodak’s industrial and environmental contributions addressed the issue of 

silver in the waste stream. The recovery of metallic silver from processing solutions (fixer) had a dual 

purpose. Foremost, Bridgehead needed to keep silver, an undesirable component of the effluent, 

from becoming a security flag indicating photographic processing. Secondly, the government 

realized cost savings from the sale of the recovered silver through secure channels. 

Kodak, in its commercial processing laboratories, had long established efficient electrolytic 

systems that utilized a series of alternating anode and cathode plates. This system, attached to a 

DC power supply, resembled the interior of a large automobile battery. Named “Hickman Cells” 

(named after the design engineer), it operated by continuously circulating the collected fixer solution 

throughout the cells or plates. Technicians recovered silver from solution by placing it on a cathode, 

and a controlled direct current passed between two electrodes suspended in the silver-bearing 

solution. This electrolytic system possessed the advantage of depositing the metal on the cathode 

in the form of nearly pure silver. Technicians periodically removed the cathode and chipped off the 

silver. This procedure resulted in lower refining costs and reduced shipping bulk. It produced no 

contamination to the fixer because of the filtering process, thereby permitting its reuse and a total 

reduction of chemicals. 

From this basic technology, Bridgehead designed electrolytic silver recovery systems, adapting 

commercially available equipment (such as cylindrical “Silver Towers”) that enabled the configuration 

to treat the fixer from the larger black & white and color processing systems. 
59

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

On the smaller processors, such as the Roller Transport machines used for Briefing Boards and other 

testing support, they recovered silver from the effluent by use of metallic replacement cartridges. 

These systems integrated the use of the Kodak commercial Silver Recovery Units, which incorporated 

a plastic lined steel drum filled with steel wool connected to the processors via plastic hose. The 

mechanism recovered the metal when the silver-laden solution flowed through the cartridge and 

made contact with the steel wool. The iron went into solution as an ion, and the system released 

metallic silver as a solid to collect in the bottom of the cartridge or on the steel wool. When it no 

longer effectively removed the silver, the technicians exchanged the cartridges for new units.

Figure 27: Analytical Chemical Lab which monitored photo lab effluent content. 

Photo from archives of Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit.

In the mid to late 1960s, as the management team modified the role of Lincoln Plant to address 

color processing and reproduction, they gave increased priority to effluent management in that 

facility. As noted previously, and of particular concern, they addressed the presence of cyanide 

compounds by installing regeneration systems for bleach chemicals to keep contaminants leaving 

the facility to values approaching zero. Bridgehead undertook a major effort to develop effluent 

treatment systems for use in other government locations. In addition to the remarkable innovations 

Bridgehead workers contributed to space technology, they also contributed toward the betterment 

of planet Earth and its increasingly industrialized economy. 

A second contribution that Kodak made to industrial operations and environmental stewardship 

included bleach regeneration. The color film (Ektachrome Type) processing chemicals used a bleach 

solution containing potassium ferricyanide. Since effluent codes restricted cyanide compounds, 

Bridgehead removed all measurable traces of these compounds in any effluent that might be 

inadvertently discharged from both the Lincoln Plant and the Bridgehead facility. In this case, they 
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In The Words of Those Who Served

chemically reconstituted the bleach solution, which allowed its reuse multiple times. Bridgehead 

chemists accomplished this task by frequent analysis of bleach components (pH, specific gravity, 

ferricyanide, and ferrocyanide). When they reached established levels, they diverted the bleach 

solution for chemical treatment. 

The chemists accomplished regeneration by adding a strong oxidizing agent (persulfate), which 

converted the ferrocyanide back to ferricyanide, rendering the bleach usable. They conducted this 

regeneration procedure approximately twelve times before the increased specific gravity of the 

bleach delayed bleaching time. This limitation led to longer bleaching time in the processor than 

could be accommodated. During that era, Kodak applied a precipitation technique to remove the 

ferrocyanide and then securely transported the sludge to a hazardous waste facility. In this manner, 

Bridgehead processes reduced the chemical effluent, recovered the silver, and kept the bleach from 

the effluent, thus lowering the security risk for photographic processing operations. 

The Bug Farm: Rotating Biological Contactors

One of the more exceptional methods to address the waste stream issues seemed like something 

out of a science fiction novel. The “Bug Farm” was a research study that addressed the control of 

toxicity and signature of the liquid effluent of government photo labs. The Waste Treatment Facility 

personnel at the Eastman Kodak Company succeeded in activating a biological colony that lived and 

survived on liquid color film photographic waste. This colony of microbes fed on this photographic 

effluent converting it to sludge and water. For several years, Kodak operated a 20,000 gallon activated 

sludge facility using the liquid waste from its color photographic operations, clearly demonstrating 

the feasibility of this technology. Unfortunately, the size and configuration of this system was 

unacceptable for customer applications. The resultant issue became, “could this technology be 

incorporated into another compact configuration and still be successful?”

To resolve the issue, Bridgehead assembled a small (100 sq. ft.) four-stage Rotating Biological 

Contactor (RBC) from 12-in. phonographic records. They seeded the record surfaces with sludge 

obtained from Kodak’s activated sludge unit, and they fed the RBC unit photographic liquid waste from 

the Bridgehead processing facility. Within less than a week, slime accumulated on each stage, clearly 

demonstrating the feasibility of this technology for treating photographic waste and rendering it to 

sludge and water. To obtain engineering, sizing, and efficiency data, they built larger 1000 sq. ft. fourstage units. They operated and monitored these larger units to insure the reliability and effectiveness 

of RBC units. The process assured successful customer applications; the RBC-treated wastewater from 

Photographic Processing Operations rendered the liquid effluent entering the sewer as innocuous as 

plain water. They collected remaining sludge separately for incineration. Kodak marketed commercial 

Rotating Biological Contactors to other interested parties—sized and installed at some customer 

facilities using the data and “seeds” from these experiments. This technology enhanced the “cover” 

for classified photographic processing facilities.

Design & Engineering (D&E) Group: 

Development of Specialized Film-handling Equipment 

To sustain production requirements for photo-finished film products, Bridgehead required a 

complement of highly specialized wet and dry equipment to realize several key capabilities: safely 

processing and handling irreplaceable ON film records; producing highest possible output quality on a 

sustained basis; accommodating evolving film and processing technology changes and improvement; 
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BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

meeting critical man-machine interfaces, often in darkroom environments; incorporating new and 

emerging electro-optical-mechanical and data handling technologies for optimum performance 

and maximum reliability; and minimum downtime for cleaning and maintenance.

To create the kind of equipment outlined above, Kodak formed a Design and Engineering Group 

(D&E) within the Special Programs organization. At its peak, engineers, designers, technicians, writers, 

and other support personnel comprised the D&E Group. Located initially at Lincoln Plant and later at 

Hawkeye, D&E worked closely with Bridgehead production and support personnel to propose new 

equipment and equipment upgrades for production operations, while also developing and testing 

breadboard equipment aimed at evaluating new design concepts. For equipment documentation, 

they worked to create and maintain equipment operations manuals and generate engineering 

drawings of required equipment for manufacturers. To meet budgetary needs, they worked to 

estimate costs of engineering, manufacturing, installation, and testing of proposed production 

equipment and managed the manufacture and procurement of repeat equipment orders. For newly 

acquired equipment, they supported first-article manufacture, installation, test, and evaluation. They 

also generally trouble-shooted equipment problems when required. D&E also developed specialized 

photographic equipment for other government agencies when requested. Because the operation 

manufactured equipment only under special order, they combined orders whenever possible for 

minimum unit cost and passed savings on to customers.

The government never classified the specialized equipment that D&E developed for use in 

Bridgehead operations. Although designed in a classified facility, in a setting that allowed easy 

confirmation of designs and development as meeting operational needs, they manufactured the 

equipment in open shops from unclassified drawings. The government authorities only classified 

its final installation location.   Bridgehead’s Technical Assistance (TA) Group maintained an 

unclassified equipment catalog and made copies available to potential users throughout the covert 

reconnaissance community.  This marketing tool frequently resulted in building multiple follow-on 

copies of equipment for multiple customers. 

When having equipment manufactured, Special Programs placed contracts within Kodak and 

with outside companies that had the necessary fabrication expertise and the ability to manage 

large and small subcontracts. Under more than one subcontract, a facility in Madison, Wisconsin 

built and assembled Fultron Film Processors and associated chemical mix and storage tanks, which 

took advantage of stainless steel fabrication techniques developed while meeting the needs of 

the dairy industry. On another occasion, a subcontractor worked with Kodak Park’s manufacturing 

shops in Rochester, NY to produce Victor Film Processors and associated chemical tanks. A Rochester, 

NY company that specialized in producing products for the aircraft industry manufactured several 

printers and printer components. Kodak’s Special Programs also used the services of local shops, with 

proven quality manufacturing records, to manufacture other equipment items. 

Contractual Structures and Funding Sources for Bridgehead Operations 

In the late 1950s, successes and failures in competing systems under development led the 

reconnaissance community to conclude that Corona would become the major system for providing 

overhead reconnaissance well into the future. Program managers merged initial processing and 

reproduction support for Corona into the Lincoln Plant—its capability proven during its support 

to U-2 acquisitions. However, Corona’s early success spotlighted the shortcomings of the Lincoln 

Plant photo lab capability. As previously discussed, Kodak constructed some of the existing negative 

processing and duplication equipment using discarded tanks, rollers, drive motors, etc., from Kodak 
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In The Words of Those Who Served

Park to support the U-2 program. Additionally, those in charge of acquisition needed improved 

data and information about all variables affecting the quality of the acquired images. The photointerpretation community voiced concerns about the quality of delivered duplicates because of the 

loss of information during the image transfer from the original negative to the duplicate positives. 

Finally, the escalating cold war tensions substantially expanded requirements for the number of 

duplicate copies produced. 

As discussed previously in this narrative, Kodak significantly invested in its film improvements and 

associated manufacturing equipment as a distinguished world leader in film technologies. However, 

with the burgeoning demand for space reconnaissance technologies, the program required increased 

capital from the community that managed all operational phases. Thus, during the 1961-62 timeframe, 

E. L. Green, Kodak’s General Manager of the Photographic Operations Center, and representatives 

from the NRO and the CIA recognized that the success of Corona demanded improved film, film 

processing, and image reproduction technology. Consequently, the project needed a funding source 

to empower the expertise of Kodak’s workforce to conduct R&D with these purposes of developing and 

testing new ground handling equipment concepts, developing improved photographic processes 

for special films, supporting the evaluation of evolving film products, and gathering empirical data 

to develop image acquisition models. The NRO provided a level of funding to underwrite this work 

under a contract designated EB-1492. A Contract Control Board (CCB) approved and monitored the 

R&D efforts. On a quarterly basis, the CCB met with Bridgehead management to assess progress and 

approve or disapprove proposed new initiatives. Three representatives comprised the Board, one 

each from the NRO, the CIA, and the Air Force, with the Air Force representative acting as Chairman. 

This mechanism effectively stayed in place for over two decades. 

The Bridgehead workforce successfully demonstrated new concepts for production equipment 

using breadboards and then modified lab equipment and other customized apparatus. They moved 

these pieces of hardware quickly into the production operation—with enough safeguards to ensure 

safe handling of the film, process reliability, operator interface safety, and other facets of operation. 

They utilized these apparatus until the D&E team designed, manufactured, tested, installed, and 

brought on-line permanent production equipment. The NRO administered these functions under a 

hardware contract designated EG-400.

The EB-1492 and EG-400 contracts served as basic agreements to which they added new tasks when 

approved and agreed upon by the government customers (including supporting documentation and 

detailed estimates). An annually renegotiated Operations Contract, based primarily on the projected 

level of mission activity, funded Bridgehead production operations. Because of its annual nature, 

the contracts carried a variety of designations. The NRO also served as the funding source for the 

operations contract. 

Other government agencies engaged in classified aspects of aerial photography occasionally 

secured NRO approval to have work performed and equipment provided as additional tasks to 

these three contracts. On other occasions, Bridgehead contracted directly with various government 

agencies to perform specific tasks where they had the needed expertise. They frequently won these 

contracts on a competitive basis. 
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BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Chapter 7

Other Face

Bridgehead Oper

Cue Ball 

Due to the Intelligence Community’s strict security rules, employees working in a common 

organization were often very unaware of each other’s activities and did not always require a needto-know about each other’s operations. Operation “Cue Ball” exemplified this particular security 

arrangement.

As aforementioned, the government’s Lincoln Plant, approximately three miles west of 

Bridgehead, served as a site for the development of one of the world’s finest optical cameras for 

the Gambit Program. Naturally, the performance of that camera system required evaluation using 

Kodak’s compatible flight films. Those films needed to undergo processing using a standard, 

repeatable process like the one actual flight films would encounter in the future. It made perfect 

sense for the government to instruct the Gambit Program to use a readily available processing 

capability at Bridgehead to meet this need. However, due to rigid security standards, employees 

involved in coordinating film processing lacked the need-to-know of where the test films underwent 

exposure or where processing took place. Only a small percentage of employees in the Gambit and 

Bridgehead organizations were “cross-cleared”—meaning they had a “need-to-know” about both the 

Gambit camera operation and Bridgehead’s role as a film processor. This covert operation retained its 

cover through a chain of events that entailed simple communications, a code word, and lock boxes. 

When the Gambit camera function required processing of test films, a department worker made 

a phone call to a local courier and announced that, “A Cue Ball was required.” The courier picked up 

a film package from a designated Gambit-secure box and delivered it to a Bridgehead-secure box. 

Under a shroud of secrecy that covered where the film came from, Bridgehead operators processed it 

and returned it to the mysterious Bridgehead-secure box. Using the same route in reverse, the courier 

returned it to the Gambit-secure box at Lincoln Plant. For the cross-cleared employees, it all made 

perfect sense. For the others who knew only half of the story and worked solely in one department 

or the other, it remained a mystery.

Interface Role to Allow Application of the Capabilities 

of Bridgehead in Government Field Labs 

The overseas operational location of the U-2 program did not always facilitate returning the 

exposed negative film to Rochester. As a result, the IC occasionally tasked selected CIA or Department 

of Defense photo labs (primarily Air Force and Navy), and in some cases friendly foreign country 

photo labs, with performing either an initial level of film processing or handling a full complement 

of processing and reproduction functions. However, IC agencies realized that not all of the field or 

foreign country photo labs were capable or prepared to handle the processing and reproduction tasks 

without assistance. Because the newly formed Kodak group, headquartered in the Perfume Factory 

at Lincoln Plant in Rochester, possessed the personnel and expertise for performing these tasks, the 
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In The Words of Those Who Served

IC requested their on-site assistance to specific locations on either a routine or a crisis basis. Kodak 

provided technical assistance and continued a collaborative working relationship with national IC 

agencies. Assistance took the form of consultations, sharing of technical information, assistance with 

solving photo lab production issues, installation and checkout of equipment, training, and temporary 

production staffing. Work in these field facilities exposed the Kodak group to the operation and use 

of other manufacturers’ materials, chemistry, and equipment, and they learned to integrate these 

objects into the overall facility operation. 

To coordinate assistance to field operations, they officially formed the Technical Assistance Group 

(TA), comprised of approximately six engineers, technicians, and an administrator. They were a 

component of Kodak’s Special Programs unit. Their responsibilities included responding to requests 

for photographic information from field facilities; coordinating selection of personnel for travel to field 

facilities and assisting with making travel arrangement; establishing a contact link with employees 

on assignment; and most importantly, ensuring the documentation of observations and problems 

related to field operations, informing appropriate in-house groups for consideration and follow-up. 

Several examples of TA’s help provided during the U-2 program’s operational years included 

activities that expanded across both the eastern and western hemispheres. In Taiwan, starting in 

the 1950s and continuing for many years thereafter, Kodak engineers and technicians assisted with 

equipment installation, training, film processing, duplication, Quality Control procedures, and staffing 

assignments. In 1962, at the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis, the IC urgently needed evaluation 

of imagery from U-2 flights in Washington from film processed locally rather than in Florida. At 

customer request, Kodak personnel moved film processors, printers, chemicals, and other support 

equipment from wherever they could find them to the Naval Reconnaissance and Technical Support 

Station in Suitland, Maryland. They had the facility staffed and operating within 48 hours, and the 

operation lasted until the crisis passed. Another operation where Kodak provided the help of TA had 

a tragic ending. Three Kodak employees—Ted Simons, Dick Moyer, and Wayne Koehler—perished in 

a helicopter accident when leaving their location at the U.S. Naval Base in Subic Bay, the Philippines. 

Regardless, this type of assistance continued throughout the operational period of the U-2 program 

and beyond. Kodak customized this assistance to meet the needs at each installation.

Technical assistance activities intensified during the early 1960s with the advent of the Corona 

program. At that time, the NRO required that secure processing facilities at SPPF (Westover AFB), 

548th Photo Lab in Hawaii, Strategic Air Command (SAC) at Offutt in Omaha, Defense Intelligence 

Agency (DIA) Fern Street, and others be equipped and readied for processing and reproduction work 

should they be needed for distribution of duplicate copies of film imagery. This mission goal involved 

Bridgehead operations with the development and manufacture of photo processing, printing, 

viewing, and other support equipment under government contract. As this equipment became 

available for field use, the aforementioned facilities needed assistance with on-site installations, 

checkout, and training.

Additionally, other worldwide Air Force photographic facilities that had access to classified 

imagery needed assistance with reproduction and enlarging to meet local command requirements. 

Some of these Air Force Bases included Beal (California), Anderson (Guam), Wiesbaden (Germany), and 

Clark (Philippines). These bases welcomed the assistance in support of either local reconnaissance 

missions or special projects involving the U-2 aircraft. To assess the photographic-related assistance 

needs at these facilities, the TA group at Bridgehead coordinated and received approval from the 

NRO and Air Force to make routine visits to either provide on-site assistance or return with requests 

that required follow-up action. The traveling group normally consisted of engineers from the QC and 

D&E departments, along with a Maintenance and Installation Technician and one member from the 
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BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

TA group. They debriefed the customer on return about any issues of importance, addressed issues 

identified during a facility visit, and answered directly to that facility. 

In general, Bridgehead’s customers funded the development of state-of-the-art photographic 

reconnaissance ground handling equipment and purchased selected items for installation at these 

strategic facilities. The TA group also functioned to maintain a catalog that described all of this 

special equipment. They maintained updated copies of this catalog in all government and military 

facilities involved in reconnaissance photography, thus spinning off developed technology to the IC 

at large. Because of the customization of this non-commercially available equipment, Bridgehead 

collaborated with potential buyers in an attempt to combine orders and minimize unit costs. 

Kodak’s TA program relied on proven customer service concepts. They based the program on 

the idea of good communication between all parties involved in a project and the willingness to 

discuss and resolve issues to the mutual benefit of all concerned. When it came to the relationship 

between a customer and a contractor, the concept worked with the support from the higher levels 

of management on both levels. That support endured throughout the above programs and mutually 

benefitted all parties. 

Supporting Operations for Bridgehead: Westover Air Force Base

Early in the programs, the U.S. Government recognized the Corona and Gambit systems as the 

future primary sources of high altitude photo acquisitions and designated Kodak as the primary 

processing and reproduction center for retrieved payloads. However, they also recognized the 

possible vulnerability to the IC without a back-up processing and reproduction capability. To address 

this shortcoming, they designated the Special Projects Processing Facility (SPPF) at Westover Air 

Force Base near Springfield, MA as the back-up facility, and took actions to make that facility viable. 

They possessed no intent to mirror the entire capability of Bridgehead, but rather to have in place 

the ability to download an RV, process the B&W original negatives, prepare initial duplicate positives, 

and readily satisfy the high priority requirements of the using community. As the equipment came 

on-line, they planned and accomplished practice events. To make these simulated efforts as real as 

possible, Bridgehead prepared exposed “dummy” payloads and provided some initial training to 

workers at the Westover facility. Following these practice events, Bridgehead supported all followon efforts requested by SPPF where they needed hardware modifications or additional training. This 

collaborative effort provided greater assurance of a seamless mission, which in turn, alleviated CIA 

and NPIC concerns by having a viable backup capability in place. 

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BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Chapter 8

Research & Analy

Contrib

Another operational layer to the Bridgehead workforce included fulfilling roles to collect, 

research, test, and analyze data about films and the interface between camera performance and 

film capabilities. The “Red Dot” project exemplified another component of this remarkable era as 

it engaged Bridgehead researchers in field tests of camera equipment. From the East Coast to the 

West Coast, Bridgehead workers also provided labor to the “Red Dot” project. This project provided 

scientific modeling and analysis of the atmosphere to assist entities in charge of camera setting and 

image acquisition decisions. On another front, initiated in the late 1960s, the Film Evaluation And Test 

Laboratory (FEAT Lab) served as a testing service for the entire intelligence surveillance community 

to provide basic film and processing data. This laboratory served as a resource to evaluate the viability 

of aerial films for use in government photographic programs. 

Moreover, Bridgehead scientists collaborated with Cornell University and its remote sensing 

program by researching, developing, and providing film technologies for geographical, 

environmental, and civil engineering applications. They further supported the security of the United 

States in an economic sense. One of their special projects aided in curtailing counterfeit currency 

operations through the research study of exemplars.

Red Dot Project2

Project Red Dot worked as an ongoing program to model the atmosphere to assist those 

responsible for camera settings and acquisition decisions. The Red Dot project functioned as a small 

part of a government-contracted cold war effort to gather photographic intelligence in denied areas 

in the days of the Cold War. The NRO and the USAF sponsored the Bridgehead Program, and in turn, 

the Red Dot project, to assist in the overall program of collecting and interpreting photographic 

intelligence from U-2 and space platforms. The Red Dot effort to optimize image quality played a 

small part in the overall success of these intelligence missions.

In the beginning of the reconnaissance programs of the early 1960s, the IC recognized that 

beyond the formidable engineering challenges associated with successfully building, launching, 

and recovering extreme high altitude aircraft and space-borne camera imagery, a number of 

additional challenges surrounding photo quality directly affected the usefulness of the product. 

With low polar orbits that characterized these types of space missions, photographic exposure and 

tone scale variations were extraordinarily large and mostly uncontrollable. Every 90 minutes, the 

spacecraft entered and exited the earth’s solar limb. In between these times, the camera encountered 

illumination and atmospheric conditions that ranged from bright illuminated scenes under the 

clearest possible conditions to poor visibility conditions with dark and low contrast. These extremes 

taxed any photographic system, ground-based or otherwise, with only one chance to get it right.

2 Entire “Red Dot” section authored by Larry Christensen (Retired Kodak Engineer)
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In The Words of Those Who Served

In the case of the U-2, Corona, and the follow-on Gambit and Hexagon systems, “getting it right,” 

meant understanding and correcting imaging through changing atmospheres, from daybreak to 

high noon. In part, the technologies accomplished this feat in the processing and duplication phases 

of film imaging; but “really get it right” meant they needed to correctly setup cameras in the first 

place. Early on in this task, major engineering issues included simply selecting proper atmospheric 

“haze”3 filtration and setting camera exposure time. Red Dot contributed toward resolving this task.

Bridgehead managers assigned a small team of Bridgehead engineers and technicians, in concert 

with the team leader for the prime camera contractor, ITEK, the task of figuring out the details of 

setting up the optimum camera/film system for exposure and haze filtration. The goal was to optimize 

the delivered image contrast and resolution while minimizing ground-based “on-the-fly” processing 

compensation for under or over exposure of the camera negatives. The further into the yellow-to-red 

part of the spectrum the team made the filtration for haze penetration, the more film speed was lost. 

Loss in film speed possessed the undesirable effect of under-exposure, or worse, image motion—a 

classical engineering tradeoff. Enough knowledge existed about how the atmosphere altered the 

scene brightness and contrast to realize that the program needed better mathematical computer 

models to plan and execute successful remote space missions. The earliest Red Dot testing effort set 

out to gather ground and aerial data on these two basic issues essentially using reconnaissance film 

as a light measuring instrument. 

Figure 28: U-2 Aircraft Over Edwards AFB. 

From the archives of Bridgehead’s Red Dot Project.

The Red Dot group got its name from something as ordinary as red paper “stick-ons” for film cans 

and shipping containers. Everyone at Bridgehead instantly recognized the paper red dot as imagery 

belonging to the Red Dot group. The camera and film system served as a scientific data collection 

instrument. Extreme control over the film environment was necessary to maintain accurate calibration 

3 The atmosphere is an optical medium that both attenuates the ground brightness and contrast of scenes and adds nonimage light referred to as haze.
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BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

of the image plane brightness. Test films destined for ground and flight cameras, as well as witness 

samples, required freezing almost from the date of manufacture to the moment of processing in 

order that the “radiometer” (the camera film) remained unchanged in its D-LogE4 characteristics. 

Since the tests involved high altitude, the Air Force conducted flights in the California Mojave 

Desert, which necessitated packing of film shipments in dry ice (frozen carbon dioxide). The 

containers needed to possess an innocuous appearance to commercial shippers but recognizable to 

Bridgehead personnel as containing carefully calibrated film material. The Bridgehead team chose a 

simple red dot sticker to identify the containers to Bridgehead personnel and those responsible for 

the shipment handling. This plan seemed to work as intended, but one could only imagine aircraft 

and ground shipping personnel wondering about the boxes leaking a white fog reminiscent of a rock 

concert stage! Fortunately, this was long before the 9/11 terrorist attacks. 

The most fundamental parameter in the camera/atmosphere imaging process was solar altitude.5

In an engineering world dominated by twelve-inch slide rules, and before the invention of the 

digital calculator, one of Red Dot’s more gifted members invented a very clever circular slide-rule for 

estimating solar altitude as a function of date and time of day. This device performed as a workhorse 

for the personnel as they planned flight tests and analyzed data. 

Red Dot project computing power in those days consisted of two IBM 360 mainframes and a 

complement of mechanical calculators. Two experienced computer technicians programmed 

computers and ran the data analysis and model software. User engineers wrote most programs—

life was a lot simpler then. The nixie-tube Wang, Kodak’s first digital calculator, weighed about 20 

pounds—portable in name only. The Bridgehead office celebrated the arrival of the first HP-35 handheld calculator, purchased by one of our engineers. Today there is far more computing power in a cell 

phone than we had in total.

Known as “North Base” among informed participants, a remote installation on the grounds of 

Edwards Air Force Base, CA served as the center for the domestic U-2 program. The Air Force and the 

NRO directed the Red Dot team to conduct its earliest research tests using, at that time, the absolute 

state-of-the-art in high altitude vehicles and cameras. At an operational altitude of 14 miles, the line of 

sight to the ground looked through almost an entire one-atmosphere (the sky is nearly black above a 

U-2 pilot’s head). The data derived from the U-2 flights was essentially identical to data possibly obtained 

from a space vehicle. The NRO and the Air Force provided remarkable resources to run the experiments. 

This engineering challenge occurred in an unusually stimulating place and time.

U-2 pilots took their role very seriously, even for research and training flights in their own backyard. 

Testing involved flight plans configured in a racetrack pattern (rather boring flying) with passes over 

the target range timed to changes in the sun’s elevation above the horizon. Takeoff occurred at predawn, and missions lasted four to six hours, short by U-2 standards. Many of the early tests used the 

“Delta configuration,” a 24-inch focal length rotating optical bar, almost identical to the space-borne 

Corona system. However, because of stability and image scale concerns, the “Baker configuration” 

became the favorite onboard camera. The “Baker” employed two webs of 91⁄2-inch reconnaissance 

film separated by a quarter-inch guide bar positioned at the image centerline. The adept pilots 

perfectly lined up their targets so that often the target array found itself directly in the film-less gap. 

This skill served well for flight qualification but did not benefit the research. 

4 Density–Log Exposure curve. A sensitometric characteristic of the film/process system derived from the exposure to a 

calibrated multi-level gray scale.

5 Elevation of the sun above the local horizon.
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In The Words of Those Who Served

Informally code-named the “Ground Truth-R-Us,” the Red Dot program typically fielded a three or 

four member team, which positioned itself with the photographic and light measuring equipment on 

the flight path—in some unusual places—in the middle of the Mojave Desert. The team arrived to set 

up the gear before sunrise (with the temperature sometimes as low as 30 °F) at a target range consisting 

of a one-acre gray patch and other large resolution panels. While the U-2 flew its pattern overhead, 

the team monitored the ground level brightness of the target array. By noontime, the sun loomed 

high overhead and the temperature rose to about 90 ° F—making it difficult to dress appropriately. 

During the over-flight, the team was in constant motion reading instruments and taking simultaneous 

ground photography. Sweaty, dirty, and somewhat sunburned, they returned to North Base, retrieved 

the overhead imagery, and prepared the films and data for shipment back to Rochester. The team 

often processed the black & white film at the North Base photo lab. The pool at the Antelope Valley Inn 

(the favorite home-away-from-home) always looked good on those mission days.

Project flights always played a secondary role to higher priority training missions, and the weather, 

which needed to be clear, often did not cooperate. On those occasional stand-down days, the team 

often explored Mojave Desert attractions, the old western movie sets. Because of its proximity to 

Los Angeles, the desert surrounding Lancaster, California (the Red Dot team’s home base) was a 

favorite location for many of the “shoot-em-up” westerns of the 1930s through the 1960s. Given 

some directions by the locals, the team could find its way to remote desert filming locations that 

retained their original character, which nearly replicated a western ghost town.

On mission days, the team could not attend the U-2 flight takeoff. Other times when other test 

flights progressed, they enjoyed the sight of a U-2 on takeoff from North Base—an amazing sight 

to see. With its huge glider-like wingspan and oversized engine, it took only a few hundred feet to 

become airborne and could practically climb vertically having almost as much thrust as weight. 

Covered in flat-black radar-absorbent paint, the U-2, with its unique climbing ability, disappeared from 

sight within seconds. Take-off watching and mission delays notwithstanding, the team eventually 

completed the test program and retrieved the valuable imagery for analysis at Bridgehead.

Mead Corporation of Dayton, Ohio managed all the ground target deployments for U-2 and 

satellite imaging under the moniker “Control Range Network,” or commonly known as CORN targets. 

Deployment of huge ground-truth tri-bar resolution targets and gray scales required many hands, 

often in high wind conditions and over rough ground. Red Dot included contributions to the design 

and fabrication of several unique targets deployed by Mead, which included the slightly oversized 

“Mona Lisa.” Mona was the very first log periodic target—about the size of half a football field, and 

about as heavy in this comparison with the sod included. A crew of Bridgehead personnel rented an 

empty building in Webster, N.Y. and spent the next several weeks painting the gray bar pattern on 

the canvas. Among hot dog and hamburger lunches, they completed and delivered the huge canvas 

to Mead. It was soon deployed for flight tests by some very determined and strong CORN personnel. 

This effort served as the very first attempt to directly measure total system optical performance in 

terms of Modulation Transfer Function (MTF)6

. Although a bit unwieldy, it succeeded in this purpose.

Another foray into the experimental realm included the six-panel color targets used to calibrate 

color overhead photography. Bridgehead personnel gained expertise in the field of color interpretation 

and consequently developed a series of color panels of special reflective properties to augment the 

standard CORN gray scale. The panels allowed them to develop yet another mathematical model 

called “INSIGHT” that permitted estimation of true ground color from color satellite imagery. 

6 The Modulation Transfer Function is a basic measure of optical performance in frequency space.
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BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Returning ground and flight films to Bridgehead in Rochester, NY—the facility location that 

housed computers that allowed for computer modeling applications—using the same Red Dot 

shipping procedures, the team began the processing for the test imagery and witness samples. By 

carefully measuring the density of the gray panels and relating the film exposure to the apparent 

brightness of the panels, it was possible to model the effect of the atmosphere on the brightness 

and contrast of the ground scene as a function of the sun’s elevation. These fundamental imaging 

data became the underpinning for not only the Corona system exposure programming, but also 

the later second and third generation (Gambit and Hexagon) longer focal-length space-borne 

systems that followed.

The team derived one particular processing innovation, in part, from those early flight tests. When 

viewed as a system, the camera, film, and processing could be manipulated to compensate for the 

degrading effects of the atmosphere directly in the ON film. Known as the “dual-gamma” process, the 

characteristic D-Log E curve could be shaped to compensate for low contrast, low illumination versus 

high contrast, and high illumination portions of the imaged scene. The objective was to position 

the scene exactly on the correct portion of the curve, i.e. the correct exposure regardless of solar 

altitude or viewing conditions. Later generations of space vehicles enabled corrections to exposure 

for second or higher film RV returns, which they accomplished with accuracy. The operation matched 

small, incremental on-orbit changes to the image plane slit-widths to the model predicted exposure 

level as the solar altitude changed below. As newer generations of high resolution black & white and 

color films became available, the spectral nature of scene illumination and atmospheric haze became 

a concern once again. Camera operations could no longer establish exposure control based on a 

one-size-fits-all concept. Hence, the team began to experiment with multi-spectral instrumentation 

and models. The first foray into this world employed a rather crude set of ground-level irradiance 

and atmospheric attenuation measuring equipment that allowed sampling different wavelengths 

of light through the visible and near infrared. Since the team members no longer relied on overhead 

imaging to obtain their data, they could set up anywhere, anytime, and they did. As the budget 

allocated more space payload resources to engineering purposes, the team coordinated activities 

with domestic vehicle orbital passes to compare predicted and actual results.

These early spectral or color models provided the ability to predict imaging conditions for 

systems that operated in various portions of the blue, green, red, or infrared spectra. The team 

also experimented with software that used the scene-atmosphere model to estimate reflectance 

of the ground surface, a technique used to estimate economic conditions in the former U.S.S.R. by 

estimating crop health and yields. 

As newer electronic systems evolved, the need for better scene-atmosphere models became 

more urgent. Bridgehead designed and built, with the assistance of EG&G-Tucson as a subcontractor, 

a specialized instrumentation trailer in the mid-1970s. The mobile laboratory made spectral 

measurements of all aspects of the atmospheric effects on remote imaging from a ground-based 

mobile station. The project result led to greater precision and atmospheric model completeness not 

previously achieved. The team not only collected blue to near-infrared data on path transmittance, 

sky radiance, and various surface irradiances, but they also simultaneously collected weather 

conditions data, and occasionally even detailed information on the atmospheric particulate matter 

(i.e., dust) above through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Army Atmospheric Sciences 

Laboratory and the University of Arizona. The most sophisticated and most critical instrument to 

the project, the “transmissometer,” measured the atmospheric path transmittance. The second most 

valuable instrument was the “sky radiometer” which measured downward scattered light from the 

atmosphere. In addition, two “irradiometers” measured ground-level spectral solar and sky irradiation 

in various surface orientations. The weather tower provided conventional near surface weather data 

capable of correlation with the radiometric measurements over a range of atmospheric conditions. 
 72

In The Words of Those Who Served

To obtain data from the clearest to the worst possible optical conditions required driving the lab 

around the United States from St. Cloud, Minnesota in the dead of winter to Apalachicola, Florida 

in the dog days of summer. When possible, the team coordinated with U-2 over-flights using color 

film to provide general surround reflectance data and with the U.S. Army Atmospheric Sciences 

Laboratory for particulate measurements. 

 It took three years to complete the project, and it involved many talented people in the design 

and construction of the mobile lab. The research resulted in a robust atmospheric model utilized 

for electronic imaging systems as well as photographic cameras under a wide range of optical 

conditions. The “on-the-fly” 

and “dual-gamma” postcollection photographic 

methods that worked 

very well for early satellite 

photography gave way to 

more sophisticated digital 

electronic corrections 

done in real time in newer 

generation systems. 

Figure 29: Mobile 

Radiometric Laboratory. 

From the archives of Bridgehead’s 

Red Dot Project.

Figure 30: Sky Radiometer. 

From the archives of Bridgehead’s Red Dot Project

The SCAT3 computer model, built from these 

in-situ experiments, served for many years and 

might still represent the most comprehensive 

attempt to describe the entire visible and near 

IR radiometric imaging process. For the first and 

only time in Red Dot history, Eastman Kodak 

received attribution in the final project report 

known as AWS/TN-79/001 “Spectral Radiometric 

Measurement and Analysis Program,” published 

outside Bridgehead’s classified channels for the 

Air Force Air Weather Service, Scott AFB in 1979. 

However, the breadth and depth of Red Dot did 

not end there; it also served as an innovator in 

comparative imaging.

Red Dot played another role as the first-line tester of new or improved films for reconnaissance 

systems and as the source for comparative imaging. Before committing U-2 and, more particularly, 

satellite resources to an experimental film, researchers assessed the performance and suitability of 

the film compared to the operational state-of-the-art films. The team usually conducted the tests in 
73

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Rochester, NY for convenience, but they relocated to other venues when appropriate. The specially 

designed four-Leica camera rig, with matched optics and calibrated exposure control, functioned as the 

earliest test equipment for this purpose. The four-camera design allowed simultaneous photography 

with different films under identical optical conditions. Built on a shoestring budget, the rig performed 

superbly for many years. Local flight-testing involved a Cessna aircraft flown at low altitude by a 

pilot from Hylan Aviation 

of Henrietta, NY. Two of our 

more intrepid members 

of the Red Dot group 

pointed the Leica rig out 

of a large hole cut in the 

bay of the plane. They were 

responsible for most of this 

photography. 

Figure 31: Two Irradiometers. 

From the archives of Bridgehead’s 

Red Dot Project

The photos on the next two pages are typical of the comparative photography generated this way. 

This particular flight occurred directly over the Kodak hanger at the Rochester International Airport 

adjacent to the civil aviation runway. Visible at dead center (circled) in the first photo on page 74 at 

left are the team’s tri-bar resolution and gray scale targets, which the team maintained and deployed. 

The second photo on page 75 is the Kodak Park Division at its busiest time in history. These 

photos used an early version of the Kodak Aerial Color Film SO-242, a high-resolution color reversal 

film evaluated in the Leica rig preparatory to mission load. 

Figure 32: Transmissometer. 

From the archives of Bridgehead’s 

Red Dot Project.

Kodak High Definition Aerial Film Type 3414, a very highresolution black & white film, served as the workhorse for 

the space systems. Film Type 3414 was a state-of-the-art 

film designed specifically for reconnaissance purposes, and 

it performed exceedingly well. The film was capable of over 

300 line pairs per millimeter (equivalent to a line about 1.5 

microns7

 wide) at relatively fast photographic speed. This film 

set the standard for the highest possible resolution imagery 

and exceeded the theoretical performance of the most 

capable space camera optics. Researchers first evaluated the 

film during Operation Red Dot by experimenting with it in all 

sorts of low altitude and high altitude flights.

The Red Dot team was always trying to achieve the last few 

percentage points of performance out of the space imaging 

systems. With the development of multi-RV film returns in 

7 One micron is one-thousandth of a millimeter. The thinnest human hair is 17 microns.
 74

In The Words of Those Who Served

later Corona, Gambit, and Hexagon space system designs, the ability to compensate for any residual 

unexpected drift in film speed, exposure, or processing became possible, at least for the second or 

higher RV returns. The Red Dot team collaborated with the image quality analysis team, led by the 

NRO and a cadre of photo interpretation experts who labored over the first available mission imagery. 

Of primary concern was image plane focus, and the CORN tri-bar resolution targets provided these 

critical data. As soon as the collaboration resolved focus issues, exposure became one of the next 

topics of discussion. 

Figure 33: Deployed Tri-Bar Resolution 

and Gray Scale Targets.

From the archives of Bridgehead’s 

Red Dot Project.

The ability to accurately 

measure microscopic densities 

on the original film made all 

the gray scale and color CORN 

targets useful. The Red Dot 

labs possessed one of the few 

microdensitometers installed 

within Kodak facilities at the time. 

This technology scanned small 

portions of mission imagery, 

usually of urban areas, in a raster 

pattern collecting thousands 

of density readings and, in 

turn, exposure and brightness 

samples. The team compared the 

mean and extremes in density to 

the aim position on the D-Log E 

curve to determine the need for 

making second or higher bucket 

adjustments to the exposure 

algorithms. Usually, it required 

minimal exposure—a third stop 

here, a half stop8

 there—but the team was optimizing performance. Bridgehead technicians and 

several others spent hundreds of hours calibrating and scanning photographic imagery on the then 

state-of-the-art microdensitometer, a workhorse for all kinds of imaging studies.

After the analysis of hundreds, if not thousands, of similar scans for apparent ground scene 

brightness, technicians observed patterns about the logarithmic-normal distribution nature of scene 

brightness. As this methodology expanded for color, some interesting generalities emerged that 

proved useful in color tonal scale correction in all types of digital camera systems. To describe scenes by 

a function normally distributed in logarithmic space9, real-time correction to an image was possible by 

using the parameters of the function approximating the classical bell-shaped curve. This concept, used 

successfully in commercial amateur digital photography, led to several Kodak patents. Transformed into 

8 One photographic stop is a factor of two in exposure.

9 A doubling of brightness corresponded to an even increment of Log base 10 or 0.3.
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BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

frequency space10, these 

types of scans also 

proved useful in the study 

of image processing 

techniques for enhancing 

image sharpness. 

Moreover, carefully 

calibrated light sources 

and high-resolution 

optical bench labs 

were also fundamental 

resources for the efforts, 

and Red Dot maintained 

an optical calibration lab 

second only to the Kodak 

Research Laboratory, an 

excellent scientific facility. 

Red Dot possessed the 

resources to resolve any 

possible radiometric 

or photographic issue 

anywhere in the vehicle 

design, development, or 

operational program.

Figure 34: Overhead Photo of 

Eastman Kodak’s 

Kodak Park Facility. 

From the archives of 

Bridgehead’s Red Dot Project.

The Red Dot project always closely allied with the needs of the photo interpretation community in 

their highly scrutinized pursuit of intelligence. The team did their best to make the task, if not easier, 

at least a little less risky. The country’s Intelligence Community would always need photographic 

or electronic imagery of the highest possible quality, and the Red Dot team was pleased that they 

contributed to the overall success in this short period of history.

Film Evaluation and Test Lab (FEAT)

Initiated in the late 1960s, the FEAT Lab served as a testing service for the entire national 

reconnaissance community to provide basic film and processing data. It served as a 

government community resource to evaluate the viability of aerial films for use in government 

photographic programs. 

“FEAT Sheets” summarized the geometric, sensitometric, and performance characteristics of each 

of the tested films, which were subsequently published for the customer community. “FEAT Sheets,” 

10 Frequency space power spectra are the equivalent image detail as a function of spatial frequency rather than normal 

x-y space. Think holograms.
 76

In The Words of Those Who Served

which became community standards, provided the film’s official designation, a description of the 

film, its measured geometric and sensitometric characteristics, and its performance characteristics 

relevant to the film’s ultimate use in the program.

Published geometric 

characteristics

Reported sensitometric 

characteristics

Performance parameters (measured from film 

processed at the recommended process)

Film width Photographic speed Granularity

Total film thickness Spectral sensitivity Visual resolution

Individual film layer 

thickness

Density-Log E curve at the 

film’s recommended process.

Granularity

Modulation Transfer Function (MTF)

Grain size

The FEAT Lab measured the latter characteristics at program-relevant contrast levels.

On-site, high quality, vibration-free cameras that printed precision targets on the tested film 

products supported FEAT Lab film evaluations. After appropriate processing, observers certified in 

the art of resolution reading interpreted visual test targets. Certification insured that these observers 

read resolutions accurately and consistently. They interpreted machine-read targets with either 

macro or microdensitometers and then converted the data to the published form.

In the early days of the FEAT Lab, another group within Special Programs provided microdensitometry of the FEAT Lab test targets. Later, the micro-densitometry function became a Film 

Evaluation and Test Service (FEATS) Lab service that supported other groups within the community. 

The FEATS Lab also provided an instrument calibration service that served not only its own 

instrumentation but also that of the entire Special Programs organization. 
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BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Chapter 9

A Day in the

Memorable Event

the Lighte

As previously evidenced by this historical account, the Bridgehead employees significantly 

contributed to the successes of the U-2, Corona, Gambit, and Hexagon Programs and other special 

projects. This account summarized contributions of an operation that included film technology 

innovations through dedicated teamwork from the active years of the U-2 program (ca. 1950s), the 

Corona program (1960–1972), the Gambit program (1963-1984), and the Hexagon program (1971-

1986). In addition to the day-to-day routines that advanced the satellite programs, the authors of this 

account remembered world events that challenged the Bridgehead team to contribute to missions 

other than their primary commitments. In other instances, they recalled external circumstances 

that challenged the Bridgehead mission objectives. Yet other memorable events included the 

appearance of distinguished visitors and certain managers that tenured at the plant. These events 

demonstrated Bridgehead’s contributions to other world happenings and connections to key 

leaders and decision-makers of Cold War policies, as well as potential catastrophes that could have 

affected the satellite mission.

At other times, despite the serious nature of their work, they remembered the workplace 

as not always a somber place but a place energized by a wide range of personalities and unique 

perspectives. Thus, this chapter sheds light on some of the people behind the scenes as they shared 

their distinctive accounts of events. In their work world, which demanded top secrecy, they shared a 

lighter side: the humor and minutiae about a secret workforce. These details eloquently endured and 

further complimented the mission as a meaningful endeavor. 

Cuban Missile Crisis: VIP Visits Bridgehead, a Secret Mission, and 

Surprising Outcome

In the early 1960s, Bridgehead workers dutifully contributed to the resolution of the Cuban Missile 

Crisis. During that tumultuous time, Bridgehead expeditiously responded to the call to action. The 

workforce moved contact printers, Versamat Processors, and other equipment rapidly to the staging 

area, and they accomplished this move within 48 hours. Approximately 20 operators reported to the 

Naval Reserve Training Station in Suitland, MD, and installed and enabled operational equipment in 

support of curbing this emergent Soviet threat.

Dr. Joseph V. Charyk, Under Secretary of the Air Force and the first Director of the National 

Reconnaissance Office, visited the Eastman Kodak Company during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He 

arrived by a private jet aircraft for a conference with Kodak Vice President Art Simmons and Ed 

Greene, General Manager of Special Programs. Under a shroud of secrecy, managers limited the 

audience for the meeting and did not retain documentation about the meeting. However, the authors 

remembered two action items that resulted from the event.
 78

In The Words of Those Who Served

The first action item involved Versamat Photographic Processing machines. Managers diverted 

several Versamat machines from their normal shipments, immediately crated them for air shipment 

and moved them to the Kodak Elmgrove Plant shipping dock for special pick-up. The “Special 

Programs” unmarked truck, with a closed cargo hold, picked up the machines and delivered them 

to the Rochester, NY airport where a military cargo plane waited. The demands of the Cuban Missile 

Crisis urgently needed these Versamats in support of activities.

The second action item involved rolls of 5-inch wide Ektachrome film. Workers loaded several 

rolls of 500 ft. Ektachrome film on camera spools used by the Navy’s “Heavy Photographic Squadron” 

or VAP. After the workforce readied the film for delivery, the managers tasked Mr. Ted Simons, a QC 

Engineer in the Special Programs organization, to courier these Ektachrome Rolls to the customer. 

They instructed Simons to bring a suitcase for a one or two night stay and the film rolls to the airport 

at a specific date and time. Upon arrival at the airport, a private military jet flew Simons directly to Ft. 

Lauderdale, FL. The Navy’s VAP 62 missions, flown out of the Naval Air Station located at Ft. Lauderdale, 

utilized the film to meet mission objectives. Simons indicated that when he arrived at the Naval Air 

Station, there were security concerns. A higher authority at the station confronted him, “What is this 

young civilian engineer doing at this Navy base when we are deeply involved with the Cuban Missile 

Crisis?” Neither Bridgehead managers nor the military provided him with any “military orders.” He 

only carried identification and some background information, which alluded to Dr. Charyk’s visit. 

After consultation with the Pentagon, they welcomed Simons and used his film package on a lowlevel over-flight of Cuba. He remained at Ft. Lauderdale until they flew the mission and then returned 

to Rochester with the exposed roll of Ektachrome Color Film for processing.

After the secrecy and gravity of the operation, workers successfully developed the film and 

received a rather light-hearted surprise as an outcome. The VAP 62 organization did an outstanding 

job of photographing Cuba at an extremely low altitude in perfect vivid color. Undoubtedly, they 

recorded numerous military targets. However, one frame of photography sparked the interest of the 

people at the Film Processing Lab. This frame recorded a bucolic Cuban farm scene. The chickens and 

the geese scattered in all directions, perhaps alarmed by the airplane. An old wooden outhouse stood 

near the middle of the frame, with the door wide open. A startled Cuban farmer, with a perplexed 

expression on his face and his mouth hanging open, was photographed while he was busy “going 

about his business.”

Lights Out

On a more serious and more regional note during the mid-1960s, a failure in the electric grid led 

to the Northeast Blackout, which impacted tens of millions of people. For Bridgehead employees, the 

event created an atmosphere of high anxiety because the Trenton Processor was actively processing 

an original negative when the power shutdown occurred. Although quality assurance technicians 

tested equipment for periodic power disruptions, this real-time event truly challenged the backup 

power capability, emergency shutdown procedures, and inevitably, Bridgehead’s ability to fulfill its 

mission as the primary provider of satellite images for the Intelligence Community. Much to the relief 

of all Bridgehead team members, procedures went smoothly and equipment performed according 

to design.

Dropped Shipment

En-route from New York to Maryland, a delivery aircraft incident in 1961 nearly led to a loss of 

valuable reconnaissance imagery. Film shipments routinely occurred as part of every mission, with 
79

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

at least two, and as many as four, shipments for each mission via military aircraft. On one occasion, 

the military aircraft leaving Rochester for Andrews Air Force Base developed engine trouble and 

steadily lost altitude on its southbound flight. The pilot decided that they needed to lighten the 

load as the only way to reach safety at Andrews AFB. As a result, the crew jettisoned a number of 

film cartons over a remote area of Pennsylvania. The aircraft command post immediately notified 

the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania National Guard, and they cordoned-off all roads 

around the drop area—a more challenging feat during the era before the common use of Global 

Positioning Systems—and undertook a broad search for the dropped cargo. With gratitude to the 

quick response of police and Guard personnel, they located and accounted for every carton of the 

highly classified film, thus averting a major security breach. In gratitude to the Bridgehead Packaging 

and Shipping Department and their fastidious attention to the art of packaging, most of the packages 

survived the ordeal, enabling the IC to utilize most of the dropped film—only bent spool flanges 

needed replacement. The incident gave new meaning to the term “Dropped Shipment!”

Square Pegs in Round Holes

Reflecting on internal events and unique talents at the production facility in the mid to late 1960s, 

a memorably creative and philosophical Special Programs Manager, Edgar L. Green, authored and 

distributed a series of informational notes titled Square Pegs in Round Holes. The first issue occurred in 

May 1966, and he wrote the 46th and last note in April 1969. The notes primarily focused on personnel 

issues and the handling of people. They served to reach as many people as possible by providing 

encouragement, solving problems, avoiding pitfalls, improving morale, and acting as a vehicle for the 

Program Manager to communicate his ideas. Mr. Green issued the notes whenever he saw the need, 

rather than on a routine basis. He issued several notes in a given week, and then several months might 

have elapsed before the next issue appeared. He numbered and dated each note, which pertained 

only to one topic per issue. These selected excerpts capture the spirit of these notes:

• ...We had one man quit because his wife couldn’t find a job here. If we had known 

about it, I could almost guarantee we could have found a job for a trapeze artist, 

which she wasn’t–just a skilled technician.

• Encouragement of constructive criticism by individuals and their participation in 

problem solving is not a sign of weakness.

• Without a sales force of any kind and without advertisement other than our simple 

“fact sheets,” we have grown rather rapidly. All we have to sell is quality.

• Don’t sit there and sulk—SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

• Morale is no burden—it’s much easier to have than to do without. Morale is 

continuing to write Square Pegs in Round Holes notes even though you suspect no 

one is paying any attention to them. 

• The only complete mistake is the mistake from which we learn nothing.

• So, at least listen to the other fellow’s ideas and reserve judgment until the facts 

have been examined.

• The experience of others is the cheapest thing you can buy.

• A peg that fits the hole has some chance of surviving, but one that never did fit will 

fail in some manner. In this respect, the hole (job) is almost always stronger than 

the peg (man)...
 80

In The Words of Those Who Served

A Secret Visitor

One day in 1976, the entire program was on its best behavior when the Director of Central 

Intelligence, George H. W. Bush, was quietly “whisked” in and out of the Hawkeye Plant (using the back 

door and the freight elevator) to receive a technical briefing on Bridgehead’s progress in support of 

an important government program. Neither the media nor the public ever knew of his presence in 

Rochester on that day.

On the Lighter Side

The demands of mission support along with a common belief that the program worked to make 

a significant contribution to the future of the nation, caused the entire workforce to feel like family. 

During mission support times, nearly everyone worked on one of two twelve-hour shifts with very 

little time for family and outside activity. This unique work environment cultivated trusting and longlasting relationships between employees with very few “secrets.” It also provided a perfect platform 

for jokesters and pranksters. Some of the stories that surfaced from this setting included the following 

characters and scenarios:

Characters and Role Players

• Marvin Butterworth, a fictitious character who mysteriously showed up on work 

schedules, assignment directives, congratulatory letters, etc., until one day the 

Program Manager, Edgar L. Green, asked his secretary, “Who the hell is this Marvin 

Butterworth? I don’t remember hiring him!”

• Cuyler Chatfield made a career of “putting people on,” with the surprising attribute 

that he succeeded with the same people two and three times. One of his favorite 

pranks included selling government surplus jeeps. He actually succeeded in having 

his victims “sign up” for delivery. El Beck, head of Bridgehead’s Technical Assistance 

(TA) Group, became a favorite target of this prank.

• Don Fose, a talented comedian and cartoonist, created a “newsletter” that 

reported on strange happenings involving his fellow employees. He accomplished 

this creative endeavor while monitoring a Dalton processing machine that ran 

flawlessly. A classic example of his work reported on a fictitious relay race that 

put teams of various cultural backgrounds on opposing teams with laugh-aloud 

results. Because of the strong camaraderie of team members, everyone enjoyed the 

humorous stories! 

Saturday Duty

During the era prior to workforce diversity and strict affirmative action laws, Bridgehead assigned 

male workers to certain special duties. Contractual requirements committed Bridgehead to remove 

labels from returned film cans, covers, spools, and boxes when time permitted. Workers used loud, 

noisy grinders to eliminate any identification markings remaining on the returned items. These 

“sanitizations” usually occurred on Saturdays during non-mission time in the basement of Lincoln 

Plant. Workers used masks (surplus gas or paper), gloves (too bulky with which to handle the cans, lids, 

and spools), and fans (Lincoln Plant air conditioning) for the comfort and safety of the operators. This 

operation usually required a hot shower before rejoining the human race and a plausible explanation 

to an operator’s wife / girlfriend as to how he got so filthy at work. 
81

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

The Flintstone

During the very early 1960s, Bridgehead supported the Argon program, a system designed 

specifically for mapping purposes with a camera provided by Fairchild that yielded a 5x5-in. format. 

Several of the cameras shared space with the Corona system in its early days of operation. At that 

time, and in addition to processing the ON, a higher authority tasked Bridgehead with providing 

hardware to produce positive copies of the acquired images on emulsion-coated, commercially 

available, glass plates believed to help minimize distortion in the copies. The emergent Design and 

Engineering Group, directed by Stan Duffield, hurriedly designed and fabricated a simplistic system 

of submerging, lifting, and moving the plates through the development process stages. The program 

manager, E. L. Green, understood that engineers designed and built many new technologies that 

needed identifiers. He tasked Harold Sacrider, supervisor of the production group, to name the 

equipment. He and his production operators described the design of the glass-plate processor as 

possessing both “brute force and awkwardness.” They aptly named it the Flintstone. The connection 

with the TV series depicting actors of the Stone Age provided many laughs in the lunchroom. 

Conversely, Mr. Duffield did not find the name humorous.

Mission Accomplished

In 1962, Dick Stowe and Don Schoessler attended a Corona Payload Interface Meeting in 

Massachusetts in collaboration with Itek Corporation. After the meeting, Itek engineers asked these 

two Bridgehead employees to act as couriers and hand-carry a quantity of defective and unprocessed 

films back to Rochester for inspection and processing. The couriers, holding the appropriate security 

clearances, packed the classified (but unmarked) cylindrical containers and documents in a briefcase 

and headed back to Rochester via Boston’s Logan Airport.

Much to their consternation, the trip turned out to be other than routine. On that day, a bomb 

threat disrupted air travel at Logan and delayed their flight. To complicate matters, airport authorities 

had tasked the Boston Police Department with inspection of all carry-on suitcases. Together, the 

two travelers anxiously, but quietly, brainstormed how to handle their situation—carrying classified 

material in a canister that might suspiciously look like a bomb. Remaining composed and thinking 

quickly, they averted a potentially calamitous situation—having the classified film confiscated. 

Privately with a police officer, they calmly explained their predicament and presented multiple 

forms of identification, without divulging any deeper truths about their mission. The officer, in turn, 

explained the situation to the aircraft’s pilot who personally assessed the two couriers. He then made 

special arrangements to place their briefcase in an aft storage compartment while accommodating 

them in seats where they could monitor the compartment while seated. Although other passengers 

nervously scrutinized the two couriers, the flight arrived in Rochester without incident. Much to their 

relief, the two couriers accomplished their mission.

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BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Chapter 10

Beyond Nat

Photoreconnais

Studies &

in the Late 20th C

Electro-Photographic Duplication

A portion of the Bridgehead R&D program investigated potential improvements in the image 

chain and alternative imaging systems. As discussed previously in this account, the Bridgehead 

facility addressed wastewater effluent and treatment systems, which included precious metals 

and the potential compromise of secret operations. Thus, they also launched an investigation to 

determine if electro-photographic duplication had quality and cost advantages over conventional 

silver halide systems. They gave this traditional study increased emphasis in the mid-1970s when 

Congress passed a law that required government programs to reduce or eliminate the use of 

“precious materials,” which included silver, the major component of the existing photographic 

system. Bridgehead consulted with other companies, investigated other technologies, and worked 

with the Kodak Research Laboratories for candidate systems to augment or replace the existing 

silver halide-based duplication and laser recording systems. Several possible options included Diazo 

duplication, Coulter films, and iodoform, none of which met all the performance requirements for 

the government program.

Kodak Research Labs identified a system using single-use liquid-toned electro-photographic 

materials designed for microfilm applications, deemed potentially able to meet the performance 

requirements of the program. They initiated a two-phased program to investigate this system—one 

financed by Kodak to develop films and materials to meet the government’s specific needs, and a 

second one to develop hardware in a total and practical system. A Bridgehead scientist worked with 

Kodak Research personnel to evaluate the potential of the electro-photographic system and methods 

to optimize that system for government program requirements. Besides being a non-silver system, 

several other attributes existed for both major production facilities and remote field photographic 

applications. The design alleviated the concerns about optimizing success without compromising 

security and the concerns about environmental stewardship and prudent management of resources. 

This duplication process relied on relatively simple steps: charge, expose, tone, and dry. It used no 

water, which presented a major advantage for field operations that lacked clean water sources. As an 

environmental bonus, it nearly eliminated effluent because technicians replenished depleted toner 

for further development. Moreover, it allowed the burning of unsuitable materials because of the 

chemical composition similar to kerosene or jet fuel. 

The program evolved in several stages, including government-sponsored applications for specific 

programs. It began with a demonstration, which highlighted potential image quality performance by 

Kodak. This led to four major developments: hardware and material to demonstrate potential to meet 

the requirements to replace an existing silver halide duplication system, with evaluation by Kodak 

and government operations personnel; prototype hardware for evaluation by government personnel 
 84

In The Words of Those Who Served

to operate in their facility; a laser recorder system designed to make an all electro-photographic 

system; and a proposal for the design of a new electro-photographic facility including hardware and 

operations. These studies met all system requirements for both recording and duplication, leaving 

only a cost analysis to examine if the new technology made good sense economically, which led 

to several important conclusions. It was found that materials costs were comparable to the existing 

silver halide system, so there was no material cost benefit. The operation needed new hardware and 

operational requirements with potential unforeseen risks to the existing critical production program. 

Bridgehead needed to continue with the silver halide system but consider electro-photography for 

other potential applications. 

Other relevant items that emerged from this research included new films with unique features. 

Kodak developed two films, SO-426 with blue/UV spectral sensitivity for duplication, and SO-102 

designed to match the spectral and intensity output of the Argon laser recorder. Additionally, they 

developed toners that met the hue and performance recommendations provided by potential users.

The Cornell University–Eastman Kodak Co. Consortium

Kodak collaborated with a leading university on an investigation to determine feasibility of 

specially designed acquisition films to identify seepage from landfills. For more than 40 years, the 

School of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Cornell University promoted and developed a remote 

sensing program. This program gave aerial photography, and various other forms of scanning and 

sensing, a synoptic view of our Earth for engineering and environmental applications and analyses.

For a longer period, Eastman Kodak Co. developed photographic films for all types of 

uses, including aerial photography from as far back as Word War I. Over the years, the value of 

photogrammetry and photo-interpretation analytical tools increased sharply as optics quality, film 

image resolution, and color capabilities continually improved. The government restricted many 

of these classified developments because of their applications for use in military reconnaissance. 

However, they methodically declassified such restrictions for use in non-military applications in the 

private and government sectors.

Private, corporate, government, and academic sectors collaborated to support each other 

in common research endeavors. The Kodak and Cornell entities developed affiliations with the 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and 

other agencies and organizations where photographic technology and imaging science served as 

important tools in numerous scientific investigations. One cooperative effort occurred from 1974 

to 1976. The chairperson of remote sensing at Cornell obtained grants from NASA and the EPA to 

investigate seepage from landfills. The investigation involved taking aerial photographs of several 

landfills in central New York State and included ground teams to correlate what the photographic 

images revealed. Senior scientists from Cornell led the ground survey team. Under the direction of 

a research associate and project coordinator at Cornell, they flew five photo missions during various 

seasons to accomplish the remote sensing aspect of the project. Another research assistant used 

the photographs to locate and identify seepage and to direct the ground crews to those sites for 

confirmation and analysis.

Eastman Kodak Co. furnished two types of film for this project: Kodak Aerochrome MS film 

2448 (ESTAR base), which provided natural color photographs, and Kodak Aerochrome infrared 

film 2443 (ESTAR base), which provided a false-color image. The “false color” provided an image in 

which healthy vegetation appeared red, while the unhealthy vegetation appeared as a blue-green 

color (cyan). The researchers then evaluated the photographs to determine if any seepage from the 
85

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

landfill affected the health of surrounding vegetation and the distance of seepage migration. They 

also examined photographs to determine the possibility of identifying a specific type of leachate—

wastes seeping from the landfill—from any characteristic color signature on the image. Additionally, 

they used a thermal scanner to record temperature radiation, which they correlated with the various 

photographic images and the ground measurements. NASA supported the photographic part of the 

mission by processing and printing copies of the exposed film.

The use of aerial photography proved to be of great value to many investigators over time and 

ultimately led to many practical applications. Remote sensing vastly improved since the mid-1970s 

and produced new scanners and sensors that captured broader ranges of the electro-magnetic 

spectrum. With these developments, researchers found more ways to use remotely gathered images 

and data. Some common examples are reflected in the table below:

Civil Engineering Applica

• Inspection of dams, bridges, highways, airports

• Highway citing

• Flood plain geography, review of waterways (navigation problems)

• Drainage improvements

Environmental Applic

• Forest evaluation, lumbering, disease

• Analysis of wetlands, freshwater problems, agricultural runoff to lakes and ponds

• Insect infestations, plant and animal diseases

• Wildlife management

Geologic Applic

• Topographic mapping

• Identifying mine sites

• Location of natural resources: natural gas fields, coal, oil, minerals

Cornell University, Eastman Kodak Co. (with Bridgehead expertise), and several U. S. Government 

agencies (e.g., NASA and EPA) collaborated in sharing technical information for specific projects. 

Similar collaborative efforts throughout the country yielded great results in remote sensing.

Study to Evaluate Exemplars

Bridgehead spearheaded a study to evaluate the threat of color copying for counterfeiting and 

possible countermeasures. This task engaged Eastman Kodak in a study to evaluate exemplars, 

provided by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), of advanced currency design consisting of a 

variety of colors with different multicolor tint patterns and a variety of line frequencies.

This report culminated Eastman Kodak’s participation in a two-year Exemplar Evaluation Study, 

sponsored by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The Bureau of Engraving and 

Printing provided 69 advanced U.S. currency design exemplars to Eastman Kodak for the primary 

purpose of evaluating the reproducibility of the following advanced counterfeit deterrents: color/
 86

In The Words of Those Who Served

multicolor tints, line and dot patterns for inducing Moiré, and a variety of Optical Variable Devices 

(OVDs). These technologies encompassed tools available to both the amateur and the professional 

counterfeiter.

Reprographic techniques consisted of a high technology Hell Chromagraph Color Scanner, Model 

DC 300 B/L, and conventional graphic arts Robertson Tri-Color Process Camera. Kodak employed 

a Kodak Experimental Color Copier and a commercially available Canon NP Color Copier to assess 

the degree of difficulty in reproducing these advanced currency deterrents. Contrary to popular 

belief, they did not find that the incorporation of color/ multicolor tints, by itself, were a significant 

deterrent. Today’s advanced reprographic systems can easily reproduce color originals with a copy 

quality that has a high probability of passing as a counterfeit. The lack of ink sample spectral purity, 

the availability of improved photographic and lithographic materials, and improved processes 

yielded a reasonable facsimile copy.

Accordingly, this study failed to identify colors that were difficult to reproduce. The reprographic 

techniques employed in this study (excluding the Canon NP Color Copier) posed a significant threat 

for counterfeiting color originals. However, color/multicolor should still be part of the new currency 

design because it adds technical difficulty in making forgeries and will interact with other counterfeit 

deterrent design features to produce Moiré patterns.

Additionally, they undertook a comprehensive study to evaluate geometric line and dot patterns 

that will result, with the reproduction of color originals using halftone-screen-separation techniques, 

in a conspicuous change in copy appearance, i.e., Moiré patterns. They defined technical parameters 

that provided a high probability of inducing prominent Moiré patterns. These parameters, however, 

might be incompatible with current design constraints that do not permit altering the motif of 

advanced currency models. It became the task of the designer to balance these technical parameters 

with the aesthetic features to achieve maximum utility. They also discussed methods that can defeat 

Moiré and their trade-offs in resulting copy quality.

The application of Optical Variable Devices, in the form of affixed Department of the Treasury 

and Federal Reserve seals, provided the highest-level advanced currency deterrent identified 

from this study. The OVD seals found to offer the greatest protection against counterfeiting 

included the multiple diffraction grating (without overprinting), silver holographic hologram, and 

watermark (modified). Secondary level deterrent OVD seals included the reflective inks, thin film 

interference filters, thin thread, and simulated window security devices. They found these latter 

OVD’s adequately reproduced and were readily available as commercial substitutes. The study 

provided recommendations that potentially improved several of these OVD seals’ optical properties. 

Deterrence levels provided by incorporating color/multicolor tints, line and dot patterns, and OVDs 

effectively accomplished a system’s approach to substantially increase the technical complexity 

required for preparing counterfeit copies. It also probably stymied the amateur counterfeiter and 

potentially delayed and frustrated the advanced counterfeiter or those familiar with graphic arts 

materials and processes. 
87

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Chapter 11

Epil

Bridgehead operations continued until the late 1990s when maturing digital imaging technologies 

supplanted the need for extensive silver halide imaging reproduction systems. Similarly, Kodak’s 

focus moved away from its traditional film and silver halide imaging technologies. In 2001, as part of 

its restructuring strategy, Kodak sold its special government business operations to ITT Corporation, 

headquartered in White Plains, NY, forming ITT Space Systems, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary 

with other operations in Fort Wayne, IN and Clifton, NJ. Government business operations at Kodak’s 

Hawkeye Plant remained essentially undisturbed while Lincoln Plant operations moved to other 

facilities to clear the way for the government to divest itself of that facility. At the turn of the 21st 

century, as funding permitted, contractors worked on deconstruction of Bridgehead and Lincoln 

Plant’s film processing capabilities. By 2009, they quietly eliminated all vestiges of the Photographic 

Operations Center at Bridgehead–the end of a remarkable era.

The final exit of the Hawkeye plant was completed on 23 October 2012, when the last business 

operations of Exelis (successor to ITT Corporation, which had purchased Kodak’s Government 

Systems business eight years earlier) moved to other facilities in the Rochester area. That milestone 

concluded 101 years of continuous operations related to consumer, commercial, and government 

photographic programs at Hawkeye. Kodak remains the owner of the facility, but with no 

prospective tenants lined up for occupancy, the future of the Hawkeye plant is in doubt.

89

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Appendix A

Bridgehead Chron

YEAR MI

1955 Dr. Chapman coordinates Eastman Kodak (EK) management support

1956 Photographic processing lab established at Lincoln Plant (LP)

1960 First Corona film load returned to LP in suitcases

1962 Dr. Charyk visit; Support to Cuban Missile Crisis

1963 “Bridgehead” adopted as code word for LP and Hawkeye (HE) operations

1963 First Gambit 1 Recovery Vehicle (RV) received

1966 First Gambit 3 RV received

1968 First color film on Gambit 3

1968 First color film on Corona

1969 First two-RV Gambit 3 mission

1969 First Dual Gamma processing

1970 First Optical Titling of the Original Negative (ON) (Gambit)

1971 First Hexagon RV received

1972 First color film on Hexagon

1974 Ultrasonic splicing in G area breakdown tables used to restructure ON frames by 

geographic area

1974 Actinic Butterfly Contrast Control (ABCC) printing on Hexagon

1975 First Mapping camera RV on Hexagon

1975 Low Distortion Kingston printer used with low distortion certification software

1976 George H. W. Bush (Director CIA) visits Bridgehead

1984 Last Film Mission – Hexagon RV received

2012

Final exit of the Hawkeye plant when the last business operations of Exelis (successor 

to ITT Corp.) moved to other facilities in the Rochester area; concluded 101 years 

of continuous operations related to consumer, commercial, and government 

photographic programs at Hawkeye.  

91

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Appendix B

Kod

Photoreconnai

Films - 1954to 1

KODAK AERIAL FILMS FOR ADVANCED SYSTEMS

SPEC ORDER NAME 

1 RP2 BASE CHARAC

SO-1121 Super-XX Aero ‘54 80 100 recon 1st new generation higher 

definition aerial film

SO-1129 Super-XX Aero ‘54 80 100 topo 1st new generation higher 

definition aerial film

SO-1166 Super-XX Aero ‘57 80 100 recon SO-1121 w/ext red sens

SO-1159 Super-XX Aero ‘57 80 100 topo SO-1121 w/ext red sens

SO-1153 Super-XX Aero ‘55 80 100 L Pan NC SO-1121 on TB w/pelloid

SO-1188 Super-XX Aero ‘58 80 100 L Pan NC Unclassified version of SO1153

SO-102 Plus-X Aerial (ESTAR 

Thin Base)

‘60 80 100 2.5 mil ESTAR SO-1153 on thin base ESTAR

SO-135 Plus-X Aerial (ESTAR 

Base)

‘60 80 100 4 mil ESTAR

SO-1182 Fine Grain Aerial ‘57 6-10 300 gray acetate Variation of microfile film, ext 

red-first version

SO-1213 Fine Grain Aerial ‘57 6-10 300 gray acetate Modified SO-1182

SO-1221 Fine Grain Aerial ‘57 6-10 300 L Pan NC Modified SO-1182

SO-213 Fine Grain Aerial ‘62 6-10 300 gray acetate current designation of SO1213

SO-226 Fine Grain Aerial ‘62 6-10 300 4 mil ESTAR SO-1221 (SO-221) emulsion

SO-206 Fine Grain Aerial ‘62 6-10 300 2.5 mil ESTAR SO-1221 (SO-221) emulsion

SO-121 Panatomic-X Aerial 

(Gray Base)

’60 20 160 gray acetate

SO-130 Panatomic-X Aerial 

(ESTAR Thin Base)

’60 20 160 2.5 mil ESTAR

SO-136 Panatomic-X Aerial 

(ESTAR Base)

’60 20 160 4 mil ESTAR

SO-243 High Definition 

Aerial Film (Gray 

Base)

’58 1.6 500 gray acetate

SO-132 High Def-Low Speed 

(ESTAR Thin Base)

’60 1.6 500 2.5 mil ESTAR SO-243 emulsion 

1 Aerial Film Index. 2 Resolving Power. * Revised Order Numbers. 
 92

In The Words of Those Who Served

SPEC ORDER NAME 

1 RP2 BASE CHARAC

SO-362 High Def-Low Speed 

(ESTAR Thin Base)

’65 1.6 500 2.5 mil ESTAR Faster speed 3404

SO-230 High Definition AHU 

Arial

’66 1.6 500 2.5 mil ESTAR Replaced SO-362

SO-205 High Definition AHU 

Arial

’66 1.6 500 1.5 mil ESTAR

SO-380 High Definition 

Aerial (ESTAR UTB)

’65 1.6 500 1.5 mil ESTAR Higher definition emulsion

SO-349 High Definition 

Aerial (ESTAR Thin 

Base

’69 2.5 2.5 mil ESTAR Improved 3404

SO-236 High Definition 

Aerial (UTB)

’70 2.5 1.5 mil ESTAR SO-349 emulsion 1414

SO-446 Aerial Film ’71 2 800 2.5 mil ESTAR Half speed 

SO-124 Aerial Film ’73 2 800 1.5 mil ESTAR SO-446 emulsion

SO-121* Aerial color film ’64 6 160 2.5 mil ESTAR High Definition Ektachrome 

Aero

SO-242 Aerial color – ESTAR 

Thin Base

’69 2 200 2.5 mil ESTAR High definition-improved 

SO-121

SO-255 Aerial color – ESTAR 

Ultra Thin Base

’69 2 200 1.5 mil ESTAR High definition-improved 

SO-121

SO-356 High Definition 

Ektachrome

’64 4 mil ESTAR SO-242 emulsion

SO-131 High Definition 

Aerochrome Infrared

’73 2 160 2.5 mil ESTAR

SO-127 High Definition 

Aerochrome Infrared

’73 2 160 4 mil ESTAR SO-131 emulsion

SO-130* High Definition 

Aerochrome Infrared

’73 2 160 1.5 mil ESTAR SO-131 emulsion

1 Aerial Film Index. 2 Resolving Power. * Revised Order Numbers. 
93

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Appendix C

 Primary Lst of Kod

Films Used in the Ga

Hexagon Progr

Applicat

Aerial Fil

Code o

Designat

Name FI

B&W 

Acquisition 

Films

3404 KODAK Plus-X Aerocon II Film 

3404 (ESTAR Thin Base)

3401 KODAK Plus-X Aerial Film 3401 

(ESTAR Thin Base)

200 115 2.5 mil ESTAR

3400 KODAK Panatomic-X Aerial Film 

3400 (ESTAR Thin Base)

80 175 2.5 mil ESTAR

3411 KODAK Plus-X Aerial Film 3411 

(ESTAR Thin Base) - modified 

version of 3401

212 160 2.5 mil ESTAR

3414 KODAK High Definition Aerial Film 

3414 (ESTAR Thin Base)

15 720 2.5 mil ESTAR

1414 KODAK High Definition Aerial Film 

3414 (ESTAR Ultra-Thin Base)

SO-112 KODAK High Definition Aerial Film 

SO-112 (ESTAR Ultra Thin Base)

4.7 1020 1.5 mil ESTAR

SO-124 KODAK Aerial Film SO-124 (ESTAR 

Ultra Thin Base)

6 805 1.5 mil ESTAR

SO-132 3404 ESTAR BASE

SO-208 KODAK High Definition Aerial Film 

(ESTAR Ultra-Thin Base) SO-208

SO-209 KODAK High Definition Aerial Film 

(ESTAR Ultra-Thin Base) SO-209

1.2 1160 1.5 mil ESTAR

SO-312 KODAK High Definition Aerial Film 

(ESTAR Ultra-Thin Base) SO-312

5.1 1015 1.2 mil ESTAR

SO-315 KODAK High Definition Aerial Film 

(ESTAR Ultra-Thin Base) SO-315

9.3 924 1.2 mil ESTAR

SO-349 KODAK High Definition Aerial Film 

SO-349 (ESTAR Thin Base) 

15 720 2.5 mil ESTAR

SO-380 KODAK Plus-X Aerocon II Film SO3801.5 mil ESTAR

SO-409 KODAK High Definition Aerial Film 

SO-409

2.6 1160 1.2 mil ESTAR
 94

In The Words of Those Who Served

Applicat

Aerial Fil

Code o

Designat

Name FI

SO-412 KODAK High Definition Aerial Film 

(ESTAR Ultra-Thin Base) SO-412

SO-460 KODAK Aerial Film SO-460 (ESTAR 

Ultra Thin Base)

6 805 1.2 mil ESTAR

SO-464 KODAK High Definition Aerial film 

(ESTAR Ultra-Thin Base) SO-464

10 715 1.2 mil ESTAR

FE-1250 KODAK Experimental SO-312 type 

Film

FE-1500 KODAK Experimental SO-315 type 

Film

QX-808 KODAK Low Speed Aerial Film 

QX-808

B&W 

Duplication 

Films

8430 KODAK Fine Grain Aerial 

Duplicating Film 8430 (ESTAR 

Base)

2430 KODAK Fine Grain Aerial 

Duplicating Film 2430 (ESTAR 

Base)

691 4 mil ESTAR

2420 KODAK Aerographic Duplicating 

Film 2420 (ESTAR Base)

165 4 mil ESTAR

2421 KODAK Aerographic Duplicating 

Film 2421 (ESTAR Base)

516 4 mil ESTAR

2422 KODAK Aerographic Direct 

Duplicating Film 2422 (ESTAR 

Base)

580 4 mil ESTAR

2484 KODAK Pan Film 2484 (ESTAR AH 

Base)

SO-192 KODAK High Resolution Aerial 

Duplicating Film SO-192 (ESTAR 

Base)

722 4 mil ESTAR

SO-239 KODAK Direct Duplicating Aerial 

SO-239 (ESTAR Base)

4 mil ESTAR

SO-332 KODAK Aerial Type II Duplicating 

Film (ESTAR Base) SO-332

1400 4 mil ESTAR

Color 

Acquisition 

Films

SO-130 KODAK High Definition 

Aerochrome Infrared Film SO-130 

(ESTAR Ultra-Thin Base)

7.5 183 1.5 mil ESTAR

SO-131 KODAK High Definition 

Aerochrome Infrared Film SO-131 

(ESTAR Thin Base)

7.5 183 2.5 mil ESTAR

SO-242 KODAK Aerial Color Film SO-242 

(ESTAR Thin Base)

7.5 285 2.5 mil ESTAR

SO-255 KODAK Aerial Color Film SO-255 

(ESTAR Ultra Thin Base)

7.5 285 1.5 mil ESTAR

SO-315 KODAK High Definition Aerial Film 

SO-315 (ESTAR Ultra-thin Base)
95

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Applicat

Aerial Fil

Code o

Designat

Name FI

SO-360 KODAK Ektachrome Duplicating 

Film SO-360 (ESTAR Base)

FE-3916 Color Infrared Film

SO-205 KODAK Aerial Color Print Film 

SO-205

Color 

Duplication 

Films

SO-287 KODAK Aerial Color Print Film 

SO-287

776 5.6 mil 

Acetate

SO-356 KODAK High Definition 

Ektachrome SO-356 (ESTAR Base)

170 4 mil ESTAR

SO-358 KODAK Aerocolor HS Film SO-358 

(ESTAR Base)

SO-360 KODAK Ektachrome Aerographic 

Duplicating Film SO-360 (ESTAR 

Base)

105 4 mil ESTAR

7271 Eastman Color Internegative Film 

7271

300

7381 KODAK Color Teleprint Film 7381 5.6 mil 

Acetate w/

rem jet

In addition to these films another 25+ special order and experimental films were manufactured and used to meet special 

requirements and operational certification of new technologies.

97

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Appendix D

Chronoloy of Bla

Film Processing E

NAME YE

SERVICE DECRIPT

Eltrons

1 & 2

Mid 1950s The original “kluged” deep-tank processors used 

to process U-2 original records, one for primary 

development and the other for secondary 

development

Become 

operational with 

pressure of time 

and cost

Speltron/

Grafton 

Late 1950s Modified Eltrons to include spray secondary 

development with each machine having a 

complete process

Establish a single 

pass process

Drape Mid to late 

1950s and 

early ‘60s

One of the original deep-tank processors for 

dupe films

Establish a 

duplicate process 

capability

Model 3 Mid to late 

1950s and 

early ‘60s

A dupe film-processing machine that 

incorporated a spray developer cabinet, other 

stages deep-tank

Same as Drape 

but with spray 

development

Kongo Mid to late 

1950s and 

early ‘60s

A dupe film-processing machine used as a back up 

to the Drape and Model 3; All sections were spray

Redundancy

Trenton 

1 & 2

Early 1960s 

through ‘70s

Newly designed and fabricated Original Negative 

processors incorporating spray primary, 

secondary, and tertiary development with 

density scanning capability between primary 

and secondary; Normal transported speeds were 

20 ft./min; Installed at Bridgehead in 1962 and 

processed all subsequent Corona film records

Provide reliable 

and repeatable 

capability at 

Bridgehead

Dalton 

3,4,7 & 8

Early 1960s 

through ‘80s 

Newly designed and fabricated dupe film 

processors, with spray developer and finishing 

stages; Installed at BH in 1962; these machines 

transported film at 100ft./min.; in the mid 70s, 

the developer cabinets were converted to 

viscous; to allow high speed processing, the 

exposed film entered the developer cabinet via 

“twister rolls” to enable the film to be viscous 

coated at the center of a spiral and leave through 

a squeegee and stop unit

Improved 

reliability and 

capacity; Later to 

incorporate viscous 

development
 98

In The Words of Those Who Served

NAME YE

SERVICE DECRIPT

Yardleigh 

5 & 6

Late 1960s, 

early 1970s

Original negative processors capable of frameby-frame development at 20-30 ft./min.; 

accomplished by scanning the negative after 

primary development and then using hoppers 

to apply viscous developer, when required, to 

achieve a three-development level process 

capability on a frame-by-frame basis; in the mid 

‘70s, they were converted to single hopper dual 

gamma process

Establish a three 

development level 

capability on a 

frame-by-frame 

basis to better 

handle original 

records with short 

frames; later, 

were chosen to 

incorporate single 

hopper process

Ontario 

9 & 10

Late 1970s, 

and ‘80s

Original negative processors incorporating single 

stage viscous development made possible by 

developer design that produced dual gamma 

sensitometry; the developer was applied with a 

shell coater and finishing stages were of deeptank design 

Take advantage of 

the dual gamma 

process in an endto-end design; 

better humidity/

temperature 

control, improved 

dryer design, etc.
99

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Appendix E 

Chronoloy of Sp

B&W Processing 

NA

YEAR

SERVICE 

Flintstone 1963-1965 A lab processor designed to process emulsion-coated 

glass plates duplicating negative images acquired for the 

mapping community

Snowflake Late 1960s, 

early ‘70s

An early “kluge” used to evaluate viscous developer 

formulations

Dundee 1 & 2 1970s and ‘80s Well designed and fabricated laboratory processors used to 

evaluate developer formulas, chemical thickeners for viscous 

layer development, viscous layer squeegee removal, etc. in a 

complete end-to-end process

VSSP 1970s and ‘80s This viscous sensitometric strip processor was a laboratory 

processor capable of evaluating/certifying viscous mixes 

requiring a very small sample of the mix

Spriscus Fultron 1980s A modified Fultron capable of being set up to incorporate 

either spray or viscous development

Poston 1980s A coating machine that operated in white light to coat a 

very thin layer of gelatin, which included minute matte 

particles, onto the processed original negative record; it 

applied coating to minimize the formation of Newton’s 

Rings during the transfer of images from originals to 

duplicate film during contact printing; the method was 

effective and avoided the complexity of adding liquid gates 

to contact printers with no significant loss of quality during 

the image transfer

Versamats 1960s, ‘70s and 

‘80s

Commercially available roller transport processors used in 

many military photolab installations; BH kept Versamats 

operational so that, through testing, it was able to provide 

the field with machine-specific processing specs for many 

film products

101

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Appendix F

Chronoloy of

Production Pro

Equip

NAME YE

Service 

Eltron 1962–1965 * An early attempt to modify a discarded B&W processor to 

provide a color reversal process for early testing

Grafton 1965–1970 * A discarded B&W machine modified to incorporate a color 

process for original acquisition films and duplicates

Ragdoll 1963—1978 A reconfigured machine used mostly for making color internegatives for briefing boards early in the program to evaluate 

the advantages of color

Multi-Purpose 

Modular Processor

(MP2

)

1978–until

dismantled

A machine designed for experimentation and process 

evaluation with extensive flexibility in configuration, 

temperature control, solutions handled, etc.

Color Production 

Processor (CP2

)

1982–until

dismantled

A newly designed and fabricated color-processing machine 

used primarily for duplicate processing with much higher 

transport rates than other color machines provided

Kodak Color Aerial 

Film Processor, 

Model RT 1411; 

resulted in Model 

RT 1811 later

1962–to 

present

A commercially available roller transport color processor 

used at a few field military installations; Bridgehead kept 

one of these machines operational to be able to support 

field operations and to support requests for smaller color 

enlargements. The Model RT 1811 exhibited increased 

through-put rate with addition of a four-section tank.

*Indicates approximate use dates. Actual dates not recorded.

103

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Appendix G

Black &Whit

Color Prin

Printer Appli

Li

Sourc

Exposu

Contro

Act

Contr

Contro

Film 

Handli

Mi

Concord B&W; 35-70mm 100 watt 

Ultra-Violet 

(UV)

Various slit 

sizes; variable 

voltage 

transformer

lamp 

adjustment

None Pressure roller/

small movable 

drum; 4 inch 

spindles

Table top unit; 

early Corona 

and Lunar 

Orbiter

Galaxie B&W; 35-70mm; 

5 inch

250/500 

watt UV

Various slit 

sizes; variable 

voltage 

transformer 

lamp 

adjustment

None Larger 5 inch 

movable drum; 

5 inch spindles

Newer version 

of Concord; 

follow-on for 

Corona-very 

early use

Matrix 

Rainbow

Color; 70mm9.5 inch3 tungsteniodine 

lamps; 3 Red, 

Green, Blue 

(RGB) filter 

trays

Independent 

lamp voltage 

controls; auto 

exposure 

correction 

matrix

Pressure 

roller/drum 

transport; 25-

100 ft./min.

Anti-Newton 

ring liquid 

application 

capability

Niagara I B&W; Color 

Mod. Kit; 

70mm-9.5 inch

100 watt 

mercury 

vapor lamp; 

tungsten 

color 

printing 

capability

Indexed 

density wedge

None Raisable 

pressure 

roller/drum 

transport; 25-

100 ft./min.

Niagara II 

(Redondo)

B&W; color 

Mod. Kit; 

70mm-9.5 inch

400 watt 

mercury 

vapor lamp; 

tungsten 

color 

printing 

capability

Indexed 

density wedge

ABCC Pressure 

roller/drum 

transport; 

25-100 ft./

min.; raisable 

lamphouse

Niagara III B&W; color 

Mod. Kit; 

70mm-9.5 inch

400 watt 

mercury 

vapor lamp; 

tungsten 

color 

printing 

capability

Indexed 

density wedge

ABCC Pressure roller/

drum transport 

25-100 ft./min.; 

raisable lamp 

house

Calibrated 

exposure 

control meter; 

in-line film 

cleaning
 104

In The Words of Those Who Served

Printer Appli

Li

Sourc

Exposu

Contro

Act

Contr

Contro

Film 

Handli

Mi

Kingston B&W; 70mm-9.5 

inch

400 watt 

mercury 

vapor lamp

Indexed 

density wedge

ABCC Pressure 

roller/drum 

transport; 25-

100 ft./min.; 

raisable lamp 

house

Gimbaled 

transport 

rollers; large 

diameter 

print drum; 

designed for 

low distortion 

printing

Cayuga B&W; 70mm-9.5 

inch

400 watt 

xenon lamp

Electronically 

controlled 

lamp

ABCC Pressure 

roller/drum 

transport; 

100 ft./min.; 

raisable lamp 

house

In-line scanning 

with real time 

frame-by-frame 

or operation 

exposure and 

contrast control; 

anti Newton 

ring liquid 

application 

capability 

Oneida B&W; 70mm-9.5 

inch

One 400 

watt xenon 

lamp; one 

400 watt 

doped 

xenon lamp

Electronically 

controlled 

vane 

modulators

Select 

Wave-length 

Printing 

(SWP) (ratio 

between 2 

lamps)

Pressure 

roller/drum 

transport; 25-

100 ft./min.; 

raisable lamp 

house

Computer 

controlled 

from off line 

exposure 

determination; 

frame mark 

detection; 

anti Newton 

ring liquid 

application 

capability 

Selective 

Image 

Printer (SIP)

B&W; 70mm-9.5 

inch

One 400 

watt xenon 

lamp; one 

400 watt 

doped 

xenon lamp

Electronically 

controlled 

vane 

modulators

SWP (ratio 

between 2 

lamps)

Linear gate; 

ON slew with 

accumulators; 

printed ON 

images in 

predetermined 

order; up to 

350 ft./min.

Computer 

controlled 

exposure 

determination; 

frame mark 

detection

Colorado B&W; color 3 tungsteniodine 

lamps; 3 RGB 

filter trays

Independent 

variable 

voltage 

transformer

lamp voltage 

controls

Pressure 

roller/drum 

transport; 100 

ft./min.

Compact 

design for small 

lab & shipboard 

use.

Seneca Select frame 

printing; B&W

100 watt 

mercury

Independent 

variable 

voltage 

transformer

lamp voltage 

control; used 

std. Niagara 

console

None Step and 

repeat and/or 

multiple ON 

frames in a roll; 

raisable lamp 

house; air bag 

platen

Experimental; 

frame-by-frame 

printing
105

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Printer Appli

Li

Sourc

Exposu

Contro

Act

Contr

Contro

Film 

Handli

Mi

Framingham Color; B&W 

inter-negative

500 or 

1000 watt 

tungsten

Neutral 

density and 

color filters in 

3 filter trays; 

printer speed 

electronically 

controlled 

Related to 

the RGB 

filters

Pressure 

roller/drum 

transport; 

5-100 ft./min.

Permitted 50 

and 100 ft/min 

printing; four 

to 10X faster 

than Rainbow; 

Anti-Newton 

ring application 

capability

Pocono Electro-Photographic Printer/

Processor; 

5 inch roll 

capability

Independent 

variable 

voltage 

transformer

lamp voltage 

controls

Liquid toner; 

operated 

in low light 

environment

Kokomo B&W; color; 

70mm-5.0 inch

Interchangeable mercury 

(B&W) & 

tungsten 

(color)

Independent 

variable 

voltage 

transformer

lamp voltage 

controls

Pressure 

roller/drum 

transport; 100 

ft./min.

Designed 

for table top 

applications

Texas Enlarging roll 

printer-2X

70mm original 

film to 5 inch 

duplicating 

film

107

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Appendix H 

Equipment Dev

The U.S. Government, working closely with Kodak operatives, never classified the specialized 

equipment that Design and Engineering (D&E) developed for use in Bridgehead operations and 

sold to government customers. Although the design occurred within a classified perimeter where 

the workforce readily confirmed designs and development as meeting operational needs, they 

manufactured the equipment in open shops from unclassified drawings. With few exceptions, the 

classified distinction applied only to the equipment installation locations and missions supported.

Figure 35: Fultron Film Processor. Ground 

Handling Equipment for Reconnaissance/Aerial 

Photography Fact Sheet, June 1967, produced by 

Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit. 

vProcess

Fultron Film Processor

The D&E team designed the 

Fultron Processor for high quality 

continuous processing of both 

original negative and duplicate B&W 

films in semi-permanent installations. 

The Fultron possessed the capability 

to process films in widths of 70mm to 9.5 in. through a 170-ft. long traditional serpentine thread path 

at speeds from 5 to 50 ft./min. depending on the film and process in use. A feed-stand and supply 

elevator (accumulator) allowed repetitive splicing of rolls of film into the film path for continuous 

processing, while a similar arrangement at the take-off end of the processor allowed technicians 

to remove rolls of fully processed film without interrupting processor operation. The processor 

applied the developer and stop solutions in spray cabinets for maximum agitation while fix and 

wash steps utilized counter-current immersion agitation. Wet sections of the 19-ft. processor and 

all solution handling equipment were made of stainless steel for maximum corrosion resistance. A 

freestanding solution recirculation and temperature control module, located behind the machine, 

tied into chemical supply lines from a separate mix room facility and provided controls for filling 

and replenishing solutions. The engineers designed the processor and its recirculation module for 

operation in a common darkroom with appropriate safelights. Taking advantage of stainless steel 

fabrication technology used in the bulk-milk handling industry, factories in Wisconsin built 15 

Fultrons, which technicians subsequently installed in various sites in the 1970s. NASA’s Johnson Space 

Center in Houston, Texas housed two Fultrons to support space exploration programs. Bridgehead 

retained one Fultron and converted it to a Spriscus Fultron–a machine used as either a spray or 

viscous processor. 
 108

In The Words of Those Who Served

Figure 36: Fultron Film Processor’s Film Path. Ground Handling Equipment for Reconnaissance/

Aerial Photography Fact Sheet, June 1967, produced by Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit.

Viscous Fultron Processor

By replacing its spray developer cabinet with a viscous developer cabinet and making a few 

other relatively minor changes, engineers converted the Fultron Film Processor to a Viscous Fultron 

Processor. The newly assembled processor, now 23-ft. long, had a 310-ft. thread path. The viscous 

developer cabinet had an extended and convoluted thread path so that once it coated the film on 

the emulsion side with viscous developer, the emulsion side of the film did not contact any rollers 

until it reached the squeegee removal station and a stop bath. The cabinet also contained its own 

internal temperature and humidity control system.

Figure 37: Viscous Fultron Film Processor Thread path. 

From archives of Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit.
109

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Victor Film Processor

The Victor Processor combined viscous development with conventional fixing, washing, and 

drying to process continuous lengths of either original negative or duplicate B&W films at speeds up 

to 100 ft./min. Engineers designed this machine to apply the most advanced techniques in B&W silver 

halide processing technologies to produce optimum quality output in high volume around-the-clock 

production operations. Approximately 39-ft. long, this processor weighed nearly 14,000 lbs. (without 

solutions) with a thread path of 430 feet. The engineers designed all wet sections for fabrication from 

stainless steel, for maximum corrosion resistance. In a significant departure from conventional spray or 

immersion development processes, the processor utilized developer in a viscous formulation similar 

to the Viscous Fultron. Technicians prepared viscous developer in a chemical mix room by combining 

a water-soluble polymer with a specially formulated photographic developer. In the processor, it was 

heated to a pre-determined temperature (usually 90 degrees), and a precision hopper evenly coated a 

thin layer (about .06-in. thick) on the emulsion side of the moving film web. Because the viscous coating 

had sufficient resistance to shear, it maintained a static layer of uniformly concentrated developer 

along the length and width of the film undergoing processing. After a preset length of time, the web 

moved through a squeegee station that uniformly removed and discarded the developer. It then 

passed immediately into an acidic stop bath solution to terminate any residual development. During 

its travel through the viscous developer cabinet, the film web was only supported on its base side 

(no contact on the emulsion side). Operators maintained the air in the thermally insulated developer 

cabinet at the temperature of the applied developer (to maintain a stable development process) and 

at a high level of relative humidity (to prevent evaporative cooling of the warm developer). Located 

behind the processor, the 

conditioning unit re-circulated 

air to the developer cabinet. 

Although Bridgehead used 

similar processors for processing 

ON films, the company built and 

sold only four Victor Processors.

Figure 38: Victor Film Processor. 

Ground Handling Equipment for 

Reconnaissance/Aerial Photography Fact 

Sheet, September 1976, produced by 

Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit.

Figure 39: Victor Film Processor Thread path. From archives of Bridgehead’s Special Program’s unit.
 110

In The Words of Those Who Served

vTitlers, Cleaners, and Lacque

Tacoma Continuous Film Titler

The Tacoma was a simplified optical titler designed for use on Kodak Versamat Processors 

and Fultron Film Processors in customer facilities. When installed on the feed ends of these 

processors, it used an LED array to expose sequence numbers, index marks, and desired titling 

data along one edge of the unprocessed aerial film web as it entered the processor. This technique 

eliminated post-processing titling operations, and the photographic title became an integral 

part of the processed imagery. The titler consisted of a control console, a feed adapter, and an 

interconnecting cable. The console provided a keyboard, an illuminated display, and controls 

for setting fixed title spacing. As such, the titles were not frame-oriented, but using knowledge 

of the camera’s frame exposure 

settings, technicians set title 

spacing to enable using at least 

one sequence number to identify 

each frame. This titler allowed 

the option of leaving the feed 

adapter in place for titling and 

non-titling processing.

Figure 40: Tacoma Continuous Film Titler. 

Image Management Fact Sheet, 1986,

 produced by Bridgehead’s Special 

Programs unit.

Delaware Portable Film Titler 

Aimed at supporting compact military photo labs, this compact titler used heat and pressure to 

transfer opaque pigment from a titling tape to the surface of processed film–either along the web 

or across it (between frames). Machine operators manually indexed film passing between rolls over 

an illuminated translucent platen at the titling station. When in position, the operator actuated the 

pneumatic titler head to initiate a title transfer. Information transfer included a four-digit incremental 

frame number and a fixed field of repeated information. The possibility existed to generate titles either 

by lead type (for long runs) or by an embossed expendable plate (for maximum flexibility in short 

runs). It required an adjunct device known as an Embosser/Leveler to produce embossed plates for 

titling. Ordinary lead type required a selection of lead type (various fonts, etc.), a type holder, tools, and 

miscellaneous hardware used in handling 

lead type. The Delaware included a 

sturdy carrying case for protection during 

transport and storage.

Figure 41: Delaware Portable Film Titler. Image 

Management Fact Sheet, 1986, 

produced by Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit.
111

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Stickney Film Cleaner 

As its name suggests, the Stickney Cleaner used adhesive 

drums to remove surface and embedded particles from both 

sides of aerial roll films. Technicians wrapped the two disposable 

film-cleaning drums with eight layers of 9.7-in. wide single-sided 

adhesive tape. As the tackiness of an outer layer diminished, 

they removed it, leaving a fresh new surface available to 

continue the cleaning process. Static eliminators inhibited static 

build-up. On average, a single adhesive tape layer cleaned up to 

40,000 feet of processed film. A highly effective film cleaner, the 

Stickney produced a loud sound during its operation as the film 

and adhesive rolls separated during the cleaning process. The 

Webster Film Cleaner quickly replaced the Stickney.

Figrue 42: Stickney Film Cleaner. 

Image Management Fact Sheet, 1986, 

produced by Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit.

Webster Film Cleaner 

Designed for clean room operation, the floor-standing 

Webster Film Cleaner was capable of cleaning films from 70mm 

to 9.5 inches in width. It utilized two webs of soft loosely woven 

fabric moving in light contact with both sides of the film web to 

pick up loose surface particles attracted to or adhering to rolls of 

processed B&W or color aerial films. The film roll moved through 

the cleaning station at 100 frames per minute (fpm) while the 

cleaning fabric moved in the opposite direction at 0.1 fpm. To 

contain the spread of particulates, workers isolated the cleaning 

chamber from room air by a rear-to-front laminar flow of filtered 

forced air. Static eliminators neutralized static build-up.

Figure 43: Webster Film Cleaner. 

Image Management Fact Sheet, 1986, 

produced by Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit. 

Lacquerers 

Before the advent of optical titling (titling data added by light exposure of frame information 

along the edge of the original negative film web before it was fully developed in the processor), 

technicians added frame data to the ON after processing in a separate mechanical titling step. Early 

efforts concentrated on adding the titling along the film edge adjacent to the frame undergoing 

the identification process. They accomplished this task by mounting rolls of the original negative 

on a titling machine and by manually indexing the untitled frame into position under a titling head. 

When properly indexed, a foot switch tripped by the operator caused the printer head to transfer 

titling data using heat and pressure. It transferred data from a fixed field and a sequenced frame 

number through a web carrying a titling pigment (Brownsville tape). This process transferred the 

titling data to the ON. Although engineering and operations expended significant effort to optimize 

the durability of the titled data while minimizing the extent of film embossing, it was vulnerable to 

flaking and degradation through handling.
 112

In The Words of Those Who Served

Protection of the titled data necessitated moving the titled film roll to an edge-lacquerer where 

the apparatus applied a continuous stripe of lacquer to the underside of the horizontal web as it 

moved at constant speed in contact with a lacquering wheel. Driven by the web, the 3⁄4-in. wide x 4-in. 

diameter wheel picked up lacquer as it passed through a small reservoir beneath the wheel. It carried 

it up to the film away from the framed imagery but over the edge-titled data. Sufficiently volatile and 

thinly applied, the lacquer dried quickly, which allowed the expedient rolling up of the film shortly 

after the lacquering station. The “lacquered roll” of original negative film was then ready for printing 

and production handling. A modified version of the Clinton Cleaner/Waxer served as the equipment 

base for edge lacquering. This modification replaced the cleaner station with a lacquering wheel and 

reservoir. The waxing station was by-passed, and the film followed the remainder of the unit’s web 

path, which gave the lacquer ample time to dry before take-up.

With some camera systems, as the frames became shorter and titled information expanded, 

it became necessary to place titling data between adjacent frames. Titlers easily accommodated 

this requirement, but the need to reliably coat a short (interrupted) stripe of lacquer over the 

between-frame titling data required new developments. In addition, to eliminate any possibility of 

the inadvertent transfer of the cross-frame titled data into an image area before it was lacquered, 

a roll of soft lightweight interleaving paper was mounted alongside the titler’s take-up roll. The 

apparatus drew the paper into the titled film roll as titling progressed, temporarily protecting the 

titled data and insuring that there was no migration of any stray titling material into image areas.

The operation retained the use of a wheel to apply lacquer as in edge lacquering, as the simplest 

and most reliable way to apply the lacquer. The D&E team devised a mechanism to cause the wheel 

to begin rotation and pick up lacquer before making contact with the near underside edge of the 

stationary web. Then, as a mechanism drove the rotating wheel across the underside of the web, it 

deposited the desired thin stripe of lacquer over the titled data. When the wheel reached the end 

of its travel at the far film edge, it required a low-level vacuum to evaporate off a small amount of 

excess lacquer that characteristically formed at the trailing edge of the stripe. After removing the 

excess lacquer through a slot in the periphery of the wheel, the machine’s wheel dropped down 

away from the web, and returned to a position before the near film edge as the machine’s operator 

positioned the next inter-frame title into place. As the operator indexed the film into position, a takeup spindle mounted adjacent to the lacquerer’s supply roll took up the used disposable interleaving 

paper. To meet production needs, they developed a breadboard unit to demonstrate the feasibility 

of the cross-frame lacquering process and pressed it into service until the production of units with 

integral dryers. Kodak subcontracted Dynametrics Corporation of Pasadena, California for the design 

and assembly of the units, named LaCrosse Lacquerers.

vPrinte

Continuous Contact Drum Printer

Printing was a major step in the film reproduction process. It involved placing the processed 

original negative film (with its attached header and trailer) in emulsion-to-emulsion contact with 

a duplicate film while projecting “light” of the proper wavelength (UV radiation for B&W and visible 

light for color) through the negative, generating a positive latent image in the duplicate film. To 

accomplish this task in a high-volume production environment, operators threaded film from a roll 

of unexposed duplicate film over a printing drum (emulsion up) and onto a take-up spool. Similarly, 

they threaded the ON emulsion side down from its supply roll over the duplicate film on the printing 
113

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

drum and onto its take-up spool. Then, a pressure roller pressed the two films into intimate contact on 

the printing drum and held them in contact through a combination of web tension, partial vacuum, 

and electrostatic and molecular attraction. Simultaneously, the equipment projected “light” of the 

proper wavelength and intensity through a slit above the drum and onto the “film sandwich” as it was 

transported by the rotating drum. After 

exposure, separate web tensions pulled 

the two films apart as they were taken 

up on their respective film spools — 

the duplicate film containing a positive 

latent image of the ON imagery. A 

variety of drum-type continuous contact 

printer applications used this generic 

configuration for applications for crucial 

safe handling of the original negative, 

in addition to the need for high quality 

image transfer during the printing of 

duplicate films. Highly skilled operators 

were trained to operate these machines 

to fulfill rigorous mission demands. 

The D&E team developed several other 

printer configurations for specialized 

duplicating tasks. 

Figure 44: Generic Continuous Contact Drum 

Printer. Illustration by R. Matoushek.

Niagara Printers

The Niagara family of printers served as 

the workhorse in Bridgehead B&W production 

operations. They were floor-standing units (74 

1⁄2-in. tall weighing up to 1400 lbs.) capable of 

operating at 25, 50, or 100 ft./min and specially 

designed for operation in reduced safelight for 

the films being printed with one or more in a 

single print room. The printer’s spatial image 

quality specifications required a minimum of 

400 cycles/mm from a high contrast (1000:1) 

reticle target using Kodak High Resolution 

Aerial Duplicating film (ESTAR Base) SO-192.

Figure 45: Niagara Printer, Model II. Ground Handling 

Equipment for Reconnaissance/Aerial Photography 

Fact Sheet, September 1976, produced by Bridgehead’s 

Special Programs unit.
 114

In The Words of Those Who Served

The most advanced version of the Niagara Printer series featured:

• A raisable lamp house to permit slewing of the ON

• Interchangeable mercury-arc or tungsten light sources to handle high density 

imagery and some color printing

• A log intensity meter to monitor mercury lamp intensity

• Footage and copy counters

• Easy-load spool spindles to accommodate film in widths from 70mm to 9.5 inches 

and roll diameters up to 10.5 inches on MS 26565 Aerial Film Spools

• End-of-ON film detection to minimize duplicate film waste

• A uniformity mask to ensure balanced exposure across the film web

• Neutral density filters for uniformly adjusting “light” source attenuation across the 

full width of printable film 

• Bias filters and a continuous density wedge for comprehensive “light” source 

attenuation

• Other optional accessories

Rainbow Continuous Printer

The Rainbow Printer was a color drum-type printer aimed at high-speed printing of color reversal 

and color print films. This floor-standing machine (73 in. tall, weighing 1500 lbs.) was accompanied by a 

Lamp Control Unit (300 lbs.) that regulated the output of the printer’s three separate light sources. Both 

units were designed to operate in total darkness because of the broad sensitivity range of color films.

Figure 46: Rainbow Continuous Printer. 

Ground Handling Equipment for 

Reconnaissance/Aerial Photography 

Fact Sheet, October 1978, produced by 

Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit.

Outputs from three tungsten 

iodine-cycle quartz lamps (housed 

in a common raisable lamp house) 

each channeled through heat 

absorbers before passing through 

three different color filters to form 

narrow spectral bands of red, green 

and blue light.  The separate bands 

of light combined at the lamp 

house’s slit aperture by a system 

of mirrors. The Lamp Control Unit 

knobs allowed the independent, 

manual adjustment of the 

three lamps output intensities. 

Technicians obtained overall color 

balance and density changes by 
115

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

varying the voltage to each lamp. Like the Niagara Printer, this printer had speeds of 25, 50, and 100 

ft./min., and spindles accommodating MS 26565 Aerial Film Spools in widths of 70mm to 9.5 inches, 

and up to 10.5 inches in diameter. The Rainbow Printer also utilized other film-handling features and 

several of the accessories found on the Niagara Printer.

Colorado Continuous Printer

The D&E team designed this compact drum-type printer to meet high quality and high volume 

production requirements in military land-based and shipboard installations. To facilitate installation 

in restricted spaces, it had a compact design that readily separated into three easy-to-carry modules 

each of which could pass through 26 in. x 40 in. openings. The Colorado could reproduce photographic 

images on color or B&W films and photographic 

paper at speeds up to 100 ft./min. Although 

compact, it handled standard width films up to 

10.5 in. in diameter on MS 26565 spools. The 

Colorado lamp house contained three tungsten 

iodine-cycle quartz lamps. White light from each 

lamp passed through a heat-absorbing glass 

and a color filter to form narrow spectral bands 

of red, green, and blue light, which combined at 

the printing slit by a system of mirrors. Operators 

achieved color balance and printing densities 

by adjusting the voltage to each lamp, thereby 

controlling the light intensity of each color. To aid 

in the set-up and monitoring process, the printer 

included a MacBeth Photometer (mounted on 

the side of the printer cabinet) to readout lamp 

intensities while making adjustments.

Figure 47: Colorado Continuous Printer. 

Image Management Fact Sheet, April 1994, 

produced by Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit.

Figure 48: Kokomo Continuous Printer. 

Image Management Fact Sheet, 1986, 

produced by Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit.

Kokomo Continuous Printer

The Kokomo, a tabletop drum printer, handled only 

70mm and 5.0-in. wide films. The compact (37-in. high) and 

lightweight (200 lbs.) design enabled use in portable and 

compact photographic labs where it was frequently teamed 

with Kodak’s Versamat Film Processors. With its slanted worksurface, it allowed printing of both B&W and color films and 

selected papers in a safe-lighted darkroom environment. 

Interchangeable tungsten and mercury lamps and mirrors 

accommodated a wide range of light-sensitive duplicating 

materials. It had a fixed operating speed of 100 ft./min. and a 

resolution transfer capability of over 350 cycles/mm.
 116

In The Words of Those Who Served

Oneida Continuous Printer

The Oneida Printer—Bridgehead’s first application of a digital computer—controlled continuous 

roll printing in a production environment. Using floppy discs and a Data General computer, it provided 

the capability to produce frame-by-frame or intra-frame density and contrast-corrected B&W contact 

prints. It handled roll films in widths of 70mm to 9.5 in. at speeds of 25, 50, or 100 fpm. A unique 

dual-lamp, high-intensity lamp house provided the energy required for contact printing of fine grain, 

high-resolution duplication films. Vane modulator assemblies, located in the upper portion of the 

lamp house, independently controlled exposure levels of the printing lamps for selective wavelength 

printing. Additionally, they equipped the Oneida with a frame-mark detection system that operated in 

conjunction with an encoder connected 

to the printing drum to synchronize 

density and contrast changes between 

and within frames. A system known 

as the Computer Assisted Control 

(COMAC) produced floppy disks of 

density data taken during inspection of 

first duplicates. Bridgehead operations 

used this data for producing subsequent 

duplicate copies on the Oneida, which 

technicians optimized for both density 

and contrast on a frame-by-frame or 

within frame basis.

Figure 49: Oneida Continuous Printer. Image 

Management Fact Sheet, 1986, 

produced by Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit.

Selective Image Printer 

The Design and Engineering Team developed the complex and formidable-looking Selective 

Image Printer (SIP) for specialized production printing. Using a linear gate (instead of a conventional 

printing drum) and a mini-computer for control, they designed it to print copies of selected frames 

from a continuous roll of B&W print-master film onto a continuous roll of duplicate film in the 

sequence and quantity defined by an operator or the photo lab’s production control system. It 

handled the normal complement of film widths and lengths at printing speeds up to 350 ft./min in a 

darkroom environment. Unlike a drum printer, the linear gate quickly and simply separated the printmaster from the duplicate printing stock between exposures. It also allowed the location of sensors 

below the gate where they could detect transmitted light-energy during exposure – a capability 

not possible with drum printers and one that allowed dynamic control of exposure levels within the 

frame undergoing printing. Finally, the linear gate minimized duplicate film waste inherent in frameby-frame printing from a continuous print-master roll. 
117

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Figure 50: Selective Image Printer. 

From archives of Bridgehead’s 

Special Programs unit.

Frame mark detectors automatically 

indexed the print-master into position for 

the next exposure while the apparatus held 

the duplicate film in position. The linear gate 

then closed, bringing the two film webs into 

intimate contact. After the film sandwich rapidly 

ramped up to printing speed, a focal plane 

shutter opened to allow exposure as the frame 

passed through the exposure area. After the 

frame printed, the printer closed the shutter, 

stopped and separated the film webs, and again 

indexed the print-master into position for the 

next printing step. Frame-by-frame printing 

required repetitive slewing of the print-master 

and incremental advancement of the duplicate 

material in the printing process; therefore, 

both supply and take-up film paths utilized 

film accumulators. Engineers designed these 

devices to remove the inertial masses of the 

rotating supply and take-up film spools from the printer’s frame-by-frame mode of operation. Once 

set up, this printer demanded minimal operator interaction. The mini-computer either controlled the 

printer directly or prompted the operator to perform specific tasks, such as loading and unloading the 

print-master or duplicate film stock. 

Figure 51: Selective Image Printer 

Threading Diagram. 

From archives of Bridgehead’s Special 

Programs unit.
 118

In The Words of Those Who Served

Figure 52: Selective Image Printer 

Linear Gate Schematic. 

From archives of Bridgehead’s 

Special Programs unit.

vEnlarger

Beacon Precision Enlarger (BPE)

The Bridgehead operation used the BPE, a precision horizontal enlarger, to make enlargements 

of selected areas of B&W and color aerial film imagery primarily for extremely high quality briefing 

boards. A series of eight interchangeable lenses provided magnifications from 2.95X up to 153X. The 

design included five color-corrected lenses to permit production of B&W or color enlargements up 

to 40 inches by 40 inches. Resolving 

powers up to 828 cycles/mm at the 

negative were transferred at high 

magnification. 

Figure 53: Beacon Precision Enlarger. 

Ground Handling Equipment for 

Reconnaissance/Aerial Photography Fact 

Sheet, July 1977, produced by Bridgehead’s 

Special Programs unit.
119

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Figure 54: Beacon Precision Enlarger Schematic. Ground Handling Equipment for Reconnaissance/

Aerial Photography Fact Sheet, July 1977, produced by Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit.

Negative field diameters from .32 in. to 3.7 in. could be printed from 70mm to 9.5 in. film rolls on 

MS 26565 Aerial Film Spools up to 7.6 in. in diameter. Operators clamped the film area to be enlarged 

between glass plates after injecting a coating of an index-matching fluid onto each side of the film 

to minimize the effects of scratches and abrasions and to eliminate Newton’s rings. On the output 

side, the BPE handled cut sheets of film or paper up to 40 in. square on its vacuum easel. A separate 

enclosure housed the air handling system for the easel, which could be located outside the enlarger’s 

darkroom. Operating aids included a semi-automatic system for selecting magnification and 

focusing, and a photometer helped establish correct exposure for the print stock in use. The intensity 

of the printing light source was adjustable to yield exposure times from one to 111 seconds. Because 

briefing boards remain an essential part of image information transfer, Bridgehead contracted the 

build of over 20 BPEs for installation in numerous government facilities. Several of them remain in 

use as of this writing.

Figrue 55: Beacon Precision 

Enlarger Lenses. 

From archives of Bridgehead’s 

Special Programs unit. 
 120

In The Words of Those Who Served

Figure 56: Beacon Precision Enlarger Lens Chart. Ground Handling Equipment for Reconnaissance/

Aerial Photography Fact Sheet, July 1977, produced by Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit.

Pocatello Color Enlarger (POCE)

The D&E team designed the Pocatello, a one-of-a-kind precision horizontal enlarger, to make 

color enlargements of selected areas of film rolls. Its horizontal design shared a similarity to the 

Beacon Precision Enlarger. The Pocatello had an identification frisket in the printer gate for inclusion 

of information on the enlargement. The Pocatello operated with enlargement magnifications of 10X 

or 20X and a liquid gate capability. The original film roll and enlarger platen could rotate 90 degrees 

left or right to align the desired target on the enlargement. The three tungsten lamps were filtered 

to provide red, green, and blue illumination, and variable voltage transformers controlled each lamp, 

allowing rapid corrections for color balance and exposure.

Figure 57: Pocatello Color Enlarger. 

From archives of Bridgehead’s 

Special Programs unit.
121

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

vTables

A variety of specialized film-handling tables, all capable of handling films in widths of 70mm to 

9.5-in. on Dexter or MS 26565 spools, were developed to support production operations.

Pre-Process Inspection Table

Skilled workers used this table for inspecting and preparing exposed, unprocessed rolls of film 

for processing. They repaired or removed damaged sections for separate processing, and used a 

pressure-sensitive tape splicer for rejoining the web. Short film rolls, idents, sensitometric strips, 

headers, and trailers could also be spliced into the main web. Cameras and RVs supplied exposed 

film, and the assembled films 

were taken-up on large floorstanding dollies, which also 

interfaced with processor feedstands. Designed for darkroom 

use, motor-driven take-up 

spindles controlled by a foot 

switch allowed operators to 

keep their hands free to sense 

both edges of the film for nicks, 

tears, etc., for extended periods 

as it passed over the table.

Figure 58: Pre-Process Inspection 

Table. Ground Handling Equipment for 

Reconnaissance/Aerial Photography 

Fact Sheet, May 1972, produced by 

Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit.

Figure 59: Editing Table. Ground 

Handling Equipment for 

Reconnaissance/

Aerial Photography Fact Sheet, 

September 1978, produced by 

Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit.
 122

In The Words of Those Who Served

Editing Table

With a smooth stainless steel base designed for clean-room use, operators used these tables 

for editing, inspection, evaluation, and assembly of processed film rolls. Available with either 

hand or motor-driven spindles, the tables included dual take-up spindles to accommodate 

editing operations. With a 30-in. wide viewer with variable light intensity and adjustable masks 

to control light flare along film edges, a film cutter and pressure-sensitive tape splicer, and an 

overhead viewing lamp for reflective viewing, Bridgehead operations greatly relied on these tables 

to achieve mission objectives.

Figure 60: Microscope Viewing Table. 

Ground Handling Equipment for 

Reconnaissance/Aerial Photography Fact 

Sheet, April 1976, produced by Bridgehead’s 

Special Programs unit.

Microscope Viewing Table

These tables carried a Bausch 

& Lomb binocular microscope 

with a 7:1 zoom feature and 

magnification from 10 to 280X for 

critical examination and evaluation 

of processed films. Motorized or 

manual rewind spindles, mounted 

on the inclined top, ensured operator 

ease and comfort during extended 

use periods. Ergonomically designed 

motorized rewinds facilitated exact positioning of the film web for magnified viewing. A 30-in. wide 

viewer with variable light intensity and adjustable masks provided illumination for viewing film 

transparencies. When not needed, they swung the microscope and supporting slide rails up and 

completely out of the way.

Figure 61: Densitometer Table. Ground 

Handling Equipment for Reconnaissance/

Aerial Photography Fact Sheet, September 

1976, produced by Bridgehead’s Special 

Programs unit.
123

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Densitometer Table

This slope-topped table carried a MacBeth Quantalog Densitometer with digital display for 

measuring diffuse transmission densities of half-millimeter areas of either B&W or color-processed 

films. An integral viewing surface, adjustable for ambient lighting conditions and overall film 

densities, aided in selecting image areas for taking density measurements. Manually controlled 

rewind spindles or, for handling long lengths of film, ergonomically designed motorized spindles 

were available. An easily detached writing surface allowed either right or left-handed operators to 

record densitometric readings.

Forty-Inch Evaluation Table

One of the most versatile tables designed and developed by D&E, this table enabled critical 

examination and interpretation of processed original and duplicate aerial film images. By moving 

the microscope from the film path 

and putting a pressure-sensitive tape 

splicer in place, its versatility allowed 

cross-utilization for film editing. It also 

introduced a type of opposing manual 

rewind spindle in which the film 

remained in a constant viewing plane 

to eliminate the need for gross focus 

adjustments in the microscope. Its 

40-in. viewer, with built-in masks and 

variable brightness, made it ideally 

suited for examining and viewing long 

frames of imagery.

Figure 62: Forty-Inch Evaluation Table. 

Ground Handling Equipment 

for Reconnaissance/Aerial Photography Fact 

Sheet undated, produced by Bridgehead’s 

Special Programs unit.

Figure 63: Camden Inspection Table. 

Ground Handling Equipment for 

Reconnaissance/Aerial Photography 

Fact Sheet, October 1978, produced by 

Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit.
 124

In The Words of Those Who Served

Camden Inspection Table

The Camden table departed from all prior designs by placing the working elements needed 

for film handling, inspection, splicing, etc., on an electrically driven adjustable base – a base 

originally developed for mounting dental chairs. Controlled by a single switch, the table-top could 

be raised or lowered through a 12-in. range and tilted up to 20 degrees from level – all aimed at 

maximizing operator comfort and accessibility. An elevated idler roller could be swung into position 

below an overhead inspection lamp to permit reflected-light inspection of film bases, while three 

ergonomically designed motor-driven supply and take-up spindles maintained a constant tension 

on the film web at all times for maximum product safety. To avoid the strobe-like effect experienced 

by operators while inspecting film during transport, direct current powered the viewer. To optimize 

print evaluation, a brightness control feature for the viewer was also available. Finally, the table 

provided a Reading Densitometer to read duplicate print density patches as a check of printerprocessor system performance.

Make-Up Table

The workforce used this generalpurpose table for making-up film rolls for 

subsequent operations or breaking-down 

rolls from prior operations. Designed for 

white-light or darkroom use, its cutter and 

pressure-sensitive tape splicer handled 

random or continuous lengths of film, 

leader, flashed stock, and processed 

or unprocessed film. Manual rewinds 

controlled the film rolls on Dexter or MS 

26565 spools.

Figure 64: Make-Up Table. Ground Handling 

Equipment for Reconnaissance/

Aerial Photography Fact Sheet, September 1976, 

produced by Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit.

Figure 65: Flats Cutting Table. Image 

Management Fact Sheet, 1986, 

produced by Bridgehead’s Special 

Programs unit. 
125

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Flats Cutting Table

This table provided a means for cutting a roll of processed duplicating film into flats of variable 

lengths. Bridgehead developed the flats-handling table for external customers, and the table was 

never used at Bridgehead. With the film web threaded through a film drive mechanism, a cursor 

could be aligned on an “electronic micrometer” in a position corresponding to an intended cut 

location. When activated, the machine automatically advanced the film under the blade and cut it. 

The operation deposited the resulting flat into a shuttle, and the next image automatically moved 

into the cutting position. The set-up included static eliminators, a viewer, film guides/supports, and 

storage compartments for consumables. The flats handling operation made up to 1800 cuts per hour.

Flats Packaging Table

Customer production operators relied on the Flats Packaging Table to package, evacuate, and seal 

varying quantities of processed film flats at up to 100 flats per hour. It contained a bin for holding 

pre-made shipping bags, a rack for holding the flats shuttle, a trans-illuminator for verifying flats to 

be packaged, a vacuum/thermal impulse 

sealer, and racks for storing spare 

shipping bags. They compared the flats 

to a customer manifest for accuracy, and 

once verified as correct, placed them into 

a bag using a transfer device. The loaded 

bag was then placed into a vacuum sealer 

chamber that evacuated all air, and the 

bag was sealed. After sealing, the device 

equalized chamber pressure to ambient 

air pressure. The bag was then removed, 

and the cycle repeated.

Figrue 66: Flats Packaging Table. 

Image Management Fact Sheet, 1986, 

produced by Bridgehead’s 

Special Programs unit.

vAuxiliary Eq

Intensity Scale Sensitometer

Operators used the Intensity Scale Sensitometer to make precise 

exposures through either a standard stepped density tablet or a continuous 

density wedge onto various types of light-sensitive film emulsions. They used 

the resulting sensitometric strips for primary sensitometric tests of B&W or 

color emulsion characteristics, or for sensitometric control of photographic 

processing equipment. 

Figure 67: Sample Processed Sensitometric Step Wedge 

exposed on the 1-B Sensitometer. From archives of Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit.
 126

In The Words of Those Who Served

Figure 68: Intensity Scale Sensitometer, Type 

1-B, Model V. Ground Handling Equipment for 

Reconnaissance/Aerial Photography Fact Sheet, 

May 1979, produced by Bridgehead’s 

Special Programs unit.

As shown in the schematic, the 

sensitometer used a revolving drum 

shutter with preset slit widths to 

expose either a 21-step wedge or a 

continuously variable density strip onto 

selected films. Using the drum allowed 

selection of exposure times of 1/100 to 

1⁄2 second. An electrical timing circuit 

allowed exposure times from one to 

999 seconds.

The exposure lamp was calibrated 

against a standard lamp certified by 

the National Bureau of Standards, and 

a closely regulated direct current power 

supply provided power to the lamp. 

Color conversion filters and special separation filters were available to test various wavelength 

sensitivities of particular emulsions. All filters and light attenuators were individually calibrated to 

exacting national standards. A preset counter permitted programming for any number of identical 

exposures on a continuous roll, and an edge punch notched the film edge between exposures that 

allowed detection and cutting of the film in total darkness between latent images. The sensitometer 

was a sturdy unit standing 62 in. tall and weighing 1375 lb.

Figure 69: Light Path 

Through Intensity Scale 

Sensitometer, 

Type 1-B, Model V. 

Ground Handling Equipment 

for Reconnaissance/Aerial 

Photography Fact Sheet , 

May 1979, 

produced by Bridgehead’s 

Special Programs unit.

Continuous Raw Stock Flasher 

The Bridgehead workforce used this machine to generate long uniform exposures on continuous 

lengths of B&W film in a darkroom environment. They ran the flashed film through processors to 

confirm readiness for image processing and to identify any processing anomalies. The processed 

film was also used to detect equipment-induced film scratches. A 500-watt halogen-tungsten lamp, 
127

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

combined with a uniquely designed mask, provided 

exposure uniformities surpassing the capability 

of continuous contact printers. A six-speed motor 

provided regulated speeds up to 200 ft./min. for 

numerous exposure options. 

Figure 70: Continuous Raw Stock Flasher. 

Ground Handling Equipment for Reconnaissance/

Aerial Photography Fact Sheet , September 1976, 

produced by Bridgehead’s 

Special Programs unit.

Chemical Solution Mixing and 

Storage Equipment

The D&E team developed a line of heavy-duty 

stainless steel (Type 316) chemical mix and storage 

tanks to prepare and store liquid chemicals for use 

in film processing machines. Tanks were available 

in 500, 1000, and 2000-liter volumes. Operators 

accomplished mixing through a combination of 

pump recirculation and separate electric mixers mounted on the lip of the tank. The same pump 

also transferred mixed volumes to storage tanks where integral recirculation pumps kept solutions 

agitated for uniform dispersion and transfer to the processing machines as needed. The tanks 

incorporated floating lids into their design to minimize oxidation of stored chemicals, and external 

sight tubes assisted operators in monitoring fluid levels. Due to the height of the larger mix tanks and 

the volumes of mixing fluids, operators used mechanical lifters to assist in getting dry chemicals into 

the tanks. See Appendix I for a typical chemical mix formulation sheet.

Figure 71: Chemical Solution Mixing and Storage Equipment. 

Image Management Fact Sheet, 1986, produced by Bridgehead’s Special Programs unit.
 128

In The Words of Those Who Served

Viscous Developer Mix & Delivery Systems 

Viscous Film Processors required Viscous Developer Mix and Delivery systems for support. These 

systems provided the capability of mixing, straining, storing, and delivering viscous developer to 

the processors plus disposal of unused developer. A 1500-liter mix tank mixed between 500 to 1500 

liters of viscous developer in a non-conventional manner. By using a progressing cavity pump (vs. a 

standard impeller pump) to circulate the mix through a high velocity, liquid jet nozzle submerged 

inside the tank, severe agitation could be generated.

 With that amount of energy introduced to the mix, a heat exchanger worked to cool the viscous 

solution and re-dissolve any gas bubbles generated during recirculation. It took approximately one 

hour of mixing for a batch of any size to hydrolyze completely. To ensure uniform consistency of 

mixed developer, this process used a strainer assembly to filter out impurities and any un-dissolved 

particulate down to .006-in. in diameter. A variable speed pump on each storage tank delivered 

viscous developer at constant pressure to coating hoppers via a temperature control system in the 

processor. 

Figure 72: Viscous Developer Mix

 & Delivery System. 

Image Management Fact Sheet, 

1986, produced by Bridgehead’s 

Special Programs unit.
129

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

vMiscellaneous E

Denver Tabletop Film Handling Units

The D&E team designed the Denver series of equipment for field installations where clean-room 

space was limited and mobility was essential. The Denver equipment handled film in widths from 

70mm to 9.5 inches on MS26565 Aerial Film Spools up to 10.5 inches diameter. Their interchangeable 

assemblies provided a high degree of flexibility aimed at small or start-up aerial photo labs. Although 

compact and lightweight, they were ruggedly constructed, and they needed minimum table 

or bench-top space for setup and operation. A single base assembly (36-in. wide by 24-in. deep) 

provided space for locating different modules between two rewind spindles, which allowed a motordriven capability or manual operation using a unique self-centering handle. By selecting a module 

or combination of modules to mount in the common base assembly, it allowed technicians to view, 

edit, clean, and densitometrically measure film.

Figure 73: Denver Table-Top 

Film Handling Units. Ground 

Handling Equipment for 

Reconnaissance/

Aerial Photography Fact Sheet, 

December 1978, produced by 

Bridgehead’s Special Programs 

unit.

131

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Appendix I

Typical Chemic

Formulation

B&W Developer: Formul

Mi in Order Listed 1 Liter 

Water at 120oF 800 mls 200 liters 400 liters 1200 liter

Anti-Cal #6 1 gm 250 gms 500 gms 1.5 kgs

Sodium Sulfite (Na2SO3) 40.2 gms 10.05 kgs 20.1 kgs 60.3 kgs

11VC 3 gms 750 gms 1.5 kgs 4.5 kgs

BD-84 10.3 gms 2.6 kgs 5.2 kgs 15.6 kgs

Tri-sodium Phosphate 30.1 gms 7.5 gms 15 kgs 45 kgs

Sodium Hydroxide (Granular) 2.8 gms 700 gms 1.4 kgs 4.2 kgs

OR

Sodium Hydroxide (50% Solution) 3.7 mls 925 mls 1.9 liters 5.7 liters

Potassium Bromide (KBr) 5 gms 1.25 kgs 2.5 kgs 7.5 kgs

Water to make 1 liter 250 liters 500 liters 1500 liters

133

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Appendix J

Black & 

Production

135

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Appendix K

Colo

Production

137

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Appendix L

Commendation 

for Exemplar

The secretary of the Treasu

WASHINGTON. D. 

April 10, 1984

Dear Mr. Chandler:

Thank you very much for meeting with Robert Leuver of the Burea

of Engraving and Printing and other officials of the Secret Service and 

Federal Reserve System to discuss the development of advanced copiers 

and printers and their threat to U.S. currency, The information derived 

from that meeting will be invaluable to us as we continue to study the 

problem. You can be certain that we will respect the confidentiality of the 

information you provided and restrict the number of people who will be 

privy to it. I appreciate, too, Kodak’s research for the Federal Government 

regarding counterfeit deterrence.

Please accept with my best wishes the enclosed memento.

Sincerely,

Donald T. Rega

Mr. Colby Chandler 

Chairman of the Board 

Eastman Kodak Company

343 State Street

Rochester, New York 14650

Enclosure

139

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Appendix M

Lit of Co

 Motivation for creating this document came from a desire to tell the generally unknown story of 

Bridgehead, to record it for its historical value, and to chronicle a legacy that families of the participants 

and Kodak can take pride in. If not for the contributions recorded by several of those who participated 

in it, the story would be lost forever. Documenting the story began in the spring of 2008, with serious 

compilation starting in September of that year. From that time on through the winter of 2008-2009, 

the principal contributors met semi-monthly on a fairly regular basis to critique previously compiled 

narratives, make changes and additions, identify other contacts to generate additional narratives, 

and identify action items to verify collected information, gather additional data, etc. E-mailing via 

the Internet was a principal method of communication and greatly aided the effort. The authors 

completed work on the first edition of this document in April 2009 (revision work on a second edition 

continued in collaboration with the NRO-Center for the Study of National Reconnaissance from 

2010 – 2013). Contributors are particularly grateful to ITT Industries for allowing access to historical 

information retained in company archives, and to Bill Naylor, Chief/Recognition, Exhibits, & Outreach, 

Center for the Study of National Reconnaissance, for his encouragement and agreeing to guide the 

completed document through government review channels. At the risk of omitting anyone who may 

have contributed even the smallest amount of information to documenting the Story of Bridgehead, 

here is a listing: 

Dominic Arillotta

John Baccoli 

Howard Belt 

Frank Bezek 

Larry Boyd 

Milt Bryant 

Craig Butz 

Bob Carr 

Larry Christensen 

Bob Cosgrove 

Tom Cross 

Paul Denenberg 

John Freund 

Gary Fulmer 

Bill Gaffney

Don Gagner 

Art Gaston 

Bob Golembe 

Bob Green 

Jeanie Havens 

Tom Havens * 

Glen Irish 

Norm Karsten 

Harvey Kidder 

Al Kubber 

Bob Matoushek 

Phil McCabe 

Jim Moser 

Neil Ratzel

Joe Russo * 

Mark Sampson 

Ron Sandford 

Bob Schoenfeld 

Don Schoessler * 

John Schroth 

Dick Sherwood * 

Jennifer Sherwood 

Dick Stowe * 

Tom Troxell 

John Tuller 

Lee Van Ocker 

Brian Vick 

Paul Vogt 

Rand Warner * 

Charlie Williams 

* Principal contributors

141

BRIDGEHEAD: Eastman Kodak Company’s Covert Photoreconnaissance Film Processing Program 

Appendix N

Acron

A&OD Apparatus & Optical Division (at Kodak

ABCC Actinic Butterfly Contrast Control

AEI Aerial Exposure Ind

AFI Aerial Film Inde

B&W Black & White

BEP Bureau of Engraving & Printin

BPE Beacon Precision Enlarge

COMA  Computer Assisted Contr

CCB Contract Control Board

CRT Cathode Ray Tub

D&E Design & Engineering Group

DIA Defense Intelligence Agenc

D-Log E Plot of Density vs. Log Exposur

DN Duplicate Negativ

DP Duplicate Positiv

EPA Environmental Protection Agenc

FEAT Film Evaluation and Test (Lab)

FEATS Film Evaluation and Test Services (Lab

H&D Hurter & Driffield (Curve; plot of density vs. exposure)

 I  Intelligence Communi

 LE  Light Emitting Dio

 MT  Modulation Transfer Functi
 142

In The Words of Those Who Served

 NAA  National Aeronautics and Space Administrat

 NIC  National Photographic Interpretation Ce

 RO  National Reconnaissance Of

 N  Original Negat

 P  Original Posit

 OD  Optical Variable Dev

 PE  Polyethylene Teraphthala

 POE  Production Operations Color Enlar

 SO  Production Shipping Of

QC Quality Control

 R&  Research and Developme

 RB  Rotating Biological Contact

 RB  Red, Green & Blue (filte

 MS  Root Mean Squ

R  Resolving Pow

 V  Recovery Vehi

 SA  Strategic Air Comma

 SCA  Scene Atmospheric Mod

 IP  Selective Image Pri

 O  Special Order (fil

 SPF  Special Projects Processing Facility (Westover 

 SP  Select Wavelength Print

TA Technical Assistance 

TP Tuttle Project

UTB Ultra-Thin Base (film)

UUTB Ultra-Ultra Thin Base (Film)

UV Ultra Viole

CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF

NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE

JULY 2014