Manufactured by Sawyers in the USA from 1952 to accompany the View-Master Personal Camera, this flash unit took single use flash bulbs and was powered by three AA sized batteries (they were just known as 'A' size at the time).  The flash unit incorporated a range-finder and using that, together with the integral Guide Number Dial, it was possible to calculate the aperture size required for correct exposure.

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The flash bulb itself contained a thin wire wool filament, that burned rapidly and brightly when the shutter was activated. There was a small electrical contact on the bottom of the flash unit which married up with a terminal on the top of the camera. The camera shutter speed would need to be set to 1/25th second when using the flash unit.

A close-up of the Guide Number Dial

These flash bulbs typically gave light for about 1/200th of a second

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