I’ve updated Anachronisms on M*A*S*H for the first time in years to correct an error involving the Season Two finale, A Smattering of Intelligence.” In the episode, Captain Stone is seen using a small silver camera to take pictures of the Swamp. I was contacted by someone who told me that the camera in question, a “Minaux,” was not invented until the 1960s.
Phil sent me the following e-mail several weeks ago (my apologies for not posting this sooner):
On your anachronism page, the first entry is for the episode “A Smattering Of Intelligence”. You state that the Minox camera wasn’t available until the late 60s. That’s incorrect. The Minox first went into production in 1937 and remained almost unchanged until 1969. The OSS started using them in 1942. The camera used in the episode “A Smattering Of Intelligence” is period-correct.
You can learn all about the Minox camera at the Minox Historical Society.
Hey! I sent that in to another MASH site once – that that was not a “blooper” or an anachronism! I knew that! That camera was not available for sale to the public (except as a very high end luxury item) til the 60s – but spys had them earlier.
Not that it matters. I’m just excited I knew something – since I can’t ever get the episode in “name that episode!” LOL
I was glad to be able to contribute something to this great site.