Early surveillance camera, LIFE Magazine, December 18. 1937

A crime is being committed here, right before your eyes, as this night prowler steals a quart of milk from the porch of Charles F. Norris of Portland, Ore. Annoyed at repeated thefts of his milk, Mr. Norris, who is photographer for the University of Oregon’s Medical School, set two bottles on a board, placed the board on a spring, ran wires from the spring to flashlight bulbs and his camera, which was focused on the bottles. When the thief lifted a bottle, he set off bulbs and camera. This picture is what Mr. Norris found on his film. But, even with this good clue, the police have not yet been after to capture the unshaven youth with a prison haircut.