The Argus History
The very first Argus was the model A, available in the spring of 1936. It was produced by the International Radio Corporation (IRC) of Ann Arbor, Michigan, led by Charles Verschoor. IRC's first and main product was an AC-DC radio in 1931.
IRC purchased Graf Optical Company in 1938 and now produced lenses, camera and darkroom acessories in addition to the Argus cameras. IRC became Argus, Incorporated in 1944 as World War II wound down. In 1949, Argus Inc. became Argus Cameras, Inc. with Robert E. Lewis as company president. In 1959, International Telephone and Telegraph subsidiary Sylvania Electric Corporation assumed control of Argus.
Mansfield Industries made a brief attempt in the early 1960's to acquire Argus but had to return control to Sylvania. Then in 1969, Sylvania tried to rid itself of Argus by selling to some Italian banking interests. By now, no cameras were made in the US, only slide projectors were being made in a factory in South Carolina.
More Recent History: Argus Industries, 2121 Oxford Road, Des Plaines, Ill. 60018. This company is looking for stories (positive, I imagine) about the Argus camera. I have been unable so far to find out if they sell or make any cameras but have seen the Argus name on cheap point and shoot cameras (foreign made) recently.
If some kind reader would email me the latest facts I will add them to this page.