The Acme was patented and introduced in 1889 as a lightweight, folding, field camera. According to Watson's catalogue the camera 'was designed to produce an instrument - first, that should combine every modern improvement of practical utility; second, that should be as compact and portable as possible, commensurate with adequate strength and rigidity; third, that should be so simple in its movements as to eliminate any difficulty in its use'. The design included the usual features associated with such a camera: swing movement to the front and back standards, rising and falling front, a rotating tripod turntable and a reversible back.