[5] Simjian began working as a technician at the Yale School of Medicine in a work-study position at the photography lab.

[4][3][7] After resigning from Yale, he moved to New York City and took courses at Columbia University "that he felt would be useful in the promotion of his inventions, focusing on business education, writing, and international banking.

"[4] To manufacture the new product, Simjian collaborated with Sperry Gyroscope to set up PhotoReflex, a company named after the camera itself.

[4] In 1931 the camera was introduced at the Wanamaker's department store in New York City contained within a portrait cabinet.

[17][18] Simjian thereafter traveled to Europe and established a laboratory in London and Miroflex, a company to produce the PhotoReflex camera.

"The user could sit in front of a vanity mirror, rotate on this chair and continue to see the back of her head while keeping both hands free."

"[4] Also during his time at Reflectone, Simjian invented a method to develop a photo "immediately while still preserving the negative.

By remotely changing the speed and angles of the model plane while the pilot or gunner watched through a sight, the instructor could produce the effect of flight, thus training the student to identify an enemy aircraft and judge its motion.

"[4] He received a citation from Admiral Bill Halsey saying his device had saved thousands American servicemen's lives.

[3] He noted: "One thing I discovered about myself in the early days of my life is that I can't stick with just one idea for too long.

[2] Its invention is usually credited to Hubert Schlafly, an engineer working with CBS and Fred Barton, an actor, who developed a mechanical cueing device in the 1950s.

Simjian and Jess Oppenheimer, the creator and producer of the classic sitcom I Love Lucy, improved it and replaced it with an optical teleprompter.

[22] Hayward argues that:[24] Simjian invented what has been described as a precursor of the automated teller machine (ATM).

[28][29] The entry on Simjian in the American National Biography noted that he is "sometimes referred to as the 'father of the ATM' because he introduced the idea behind these now-ubiquitous machines.

[30] According to Konheim, Simjian "came up with the idea of creating a 'hole-in-the wall machine' that would allow customers to make financial transactions.

"[31] Hayward notes that Simjian's role in the invention of the ATM is disputed, however, he is recognized as the "inventor of a photomechanical automated banking terminal," popularly known as the Bankograph.

[34] It was covered by the New York Times, which described it as a "robot bank teller that gives the depositor a picture of the money he puts in.

"[3][30] Hayward argues that the Bankograph was ultimately a failure "because of its evasion of established norms of visuality associated with banking at the time.

[5] His interests included golf, backgammon, Mark Twain's works, porcelains, and Middle Eastern food.

[3][2] During his seven-decade long career as a professional inventor, Simjian received over 200 American and foreign patents.

[5][3][49] Times Union wrote on his death: "Simjian was Jeffersonian, Edisonian, da Vincian — take your pick.

[5] His long-time patent agent, Ervin Steinberg, noted that Simjian was "one of the most prolific inventors of [the 20th] century.

"[5] Hayward argued that his "career as an inventor highlights the extent to which the optical retains significance in the contemporary era.