Chris Condon

Chris J. Condon (1923 – December 19, 2010), born Christo Dimitri Koudounis, was the inventor of 3D lens used by his company StereoVision, a cinematographer, and founder of Sierra Pacific Airlines.

Life and career

He was born in North Chicago, Illinois. During World War II, he received a four Bronze Battle Stars while working on the combat air crew and cinematographer on B-24 and A-26 in the Pacific.[1] Upon his death in 2010, he was buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California.[2]

After the war he worked at Douglas Aircraft as a trainee before starting his own business in 1947 Century Precision Optics Company of North Hollywood, California where he developed the Tele-Athenar telephoto lens which were used by Walt Disney photographers in the True Life Adventures series.[1]

In 1953, he received his first patent for a 3D projection system.[1] The system replaced the previous method of using two cameras. His invention was inspired by the film House of Wax.[3]

He taught at Columbia College Hollywood from 1958 to 1960.[1]

He co-wrote the American Cinematographer Manual for the American Society of Cinematographers with Joseph V. Mascelli in 1963.[1]

In 1969, he and his partner Allan Silliphant received a patent for the world's 1st Single-Camera 3-D Motion Picture Lens and they formed the company Magnavision which was changed to StereoVision Entertainment. After the success of soft X, eventually R rated 3D movie The Stewardesses he and Silliphant founded Sierra Pacific Airlines.[1] which continued to operate under several newer owners a fleet of Convair prop-jets and later, Boeing 737 jets, under the current owners.

In 1972, he received a patent for a special widescreen 3-D camera lens for modern 35mm and 70mm reflex motion picture cameras.[1]

During the 1970s, his lenses were used in Andy Warhol's Frankenstein, Dynasty, and Fantastic Invasion of Planet Earth.[1]

Credits
  • The Stewardesses (filmed in Stereovision 3D) (1969)
  • The Volcano Creature (co-producer)
  • The CIA Girls of Capitol Hill (co-producer)
  • Mr. Howard's Crazy Airline (co-producer)
  • The Wild Ride (co-producer and director of 3D photography)
  • The Volcano Creature and Surfer Girls (co-producer and director of 3D photography)
  • Magda The Gypsy Fortune Teller co-produced with Gary Tomsic and Herb Liteman (filmed in Stereovision 3D) (1999)
  • Jaws 3-D (Cinematographer and Chief 3-D Consultant) 1983[4]

References
  1. "Chris J. Condon, Pioneer of 3-D". 3d.hollywoodfilmsinternational.com. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
  2. Chris Condon at Find a Grave
  3. Dore, Shalini (2010-12-20). "3D pioneer Chris Condon dies - Entertainment News, Film News, Media". Variety. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
  4. Chris J. Condon - IMDb
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