Houghton's Film Envelope system was introduced in 1905. Cut film, made by Austin Edwards, was held in envelopes, an adapter held the envelope firmly to the film plane. The draw-slide of the adapter engaged the cover of the envelope, when the draw-slide was pulled out the film was uncovered.

The first model was for cut film only and finished in polished wood, either mahogany or teak.

In 1907 the adapter was redesigned to include a spring-mounted focusing screen, either cut film or plates could then be used. This introduced models B, C and D.

The first model continued to be sold, renamed model A, without a focusing screen. It could now take plates though in different envelopes to the B and C. A separate focusing screen could be purchased.

Model B was made of wood for cameras taking wooden slides, model C, made of metal, was for cameras taking single metal slides. Both were leather covered. Model D had a tropical finish of brass bound teak, in other respects it was similar to model B.

The envelopes could be reloaded with ordinary cut film.

The adapter is probably based on the patents listed which are in the name of Wishart.