How Kodak invented the “snapshot”

Summary

The Eastman Kodak Company revolutionized photography in 1888 with the introduction of the Kodak No. 1, a handheld box camera that made photography accessible to the general public. The slogan 'You press the button, we do the rest' encapsulated Kodak's goal of simplifying photography. This marked a shift from complex, professional equipment to user-friendly devices like the Brownie, which popularized photography among children and adults. Despite Kodak's dominance for over a century, digital photography ultimately led to its decline. However, Kodak's legacy lives on in today's culture of personal, accessible photography.

Takeaways

• 📸 Kodak revolutionized photography in 1888 with the release of the handheld Kodak No. 1 camera and the slogan, 'You press the button, we do the rest.'
• 👨‍🔬 Prior to the Kodak No. 1, photography required a deep understanding of chemistry, timing, and light, making it an exclusive skill for professionals.
• 🧳 The Kodak No. 1 was the first camera that allowed everyday people to take photos with no prior photography knowledge, making photography more accessible.
• ✉️ Users mailed the Kodak camera back for processing and received their printed photos along with a reloaded camera, simplifying the entire process.
• 💰 The Kodak No. 1 cost $25 in 1888, equivalent to over $800 today, making it relatively expensive and aimed at the upper-middle class.
• 📦 The Brownie, introduced in 1900, was a game changer, offering a simple box camera for $1, making photography more affordable and accessible to a wider audience, especially children.
• 🌍 By 1905, over 1.2 million Brownie cameras were sold, and Kodak relentlessly marketed cameras as essential tools for capturing life’s fleeting moments.
• 🏆 Kodak dominated the photography market for over a century, establishing a reputation as a trusted brand for preserving memories.
• 📉 Kodak’s market dominance declined in the 2000s with the rise of digital photography, despite the company inventing the first digital camera in 1975.
• 🔄 Kodak filed for bankruptcy in 2012 and shifted focus to digital printing services, but its legacy of making photography accessible to amateurs lives on.

Q & A

What was the significance of Kodak's 1888 camera and slogan?

Kodak's 1888 camera, the Kodak No. 1, and the slogan 'You press the button, we do the rest' revolutionized photography by making it accessible to non-professionals. It allowed people with little to no knowledge of photography to take photos easily.

How did photography work before the Kodak No. 1 camera?

Before the Kodak No. 1 camera, photography required a deep understanding of chemistry, timing, and light. Photographers used bulky equipment and glass plates coated with photosensitive chemicals, and photos had to be developed in a darkroom, which made the process complex and specialized.

What made the Kodak No. 1 different from earlier cameras?

The Kodak No. 1 was a handheld box camera pre-loaded with roll film, allowing non-professionals to take 100 circular photos without needing specialized knowledge. Once the film was used, the camera was mailed back to Kodak for processing and reloading.

How did the Kodak No. 1 change people's relationship with photography?

The Kodak No. 1 allowed people to document their personal lives and experiences more casually. Photos became a way to capture natural moments, like smiles and candid street scenes, rather than formal, posed portraits taken in studios.

Why was the Kodak No. 1 initially out of reach for many consumers?

The Kodak No. 1 cost $25 in 1888, which is equivalent to more than $800 today. This high price meant that only wealthier individuals could afford the camera when it first came out.

What was the breakthrough in amateur photography that occurred after the Kodak No. 1?

The breakthrough came in 1900 with the introduction of the Kodak Brownie, a simple box camera that cost just $1 (about $38 today). It made photography affordable for a much larger audience, including children.

How did the Brownie camera impact the photography market?

The Brownie was a huge success, with more than 1.2 million cameras sold by 1905. It was marketed towards children but was soon adopted by adults as well, making photography more widespread and accessible.

What led to Kodak's decline in the photography industry?

Kodak's decline was due to the rise of digital photography in the early 2000s. Although Kodak had invented the first digital camera in 1975, the company did not transition quickly enough from film to digital, leading to a loss of market share and eventual bankruptcy in 2012.

How has film photography changed in recent years?

Film photography has become a niche market, with prices for film increasing. Amateurs without access to darkrooms often have to mail off their film for processing, similar to the early days of roll film cameras.

What is Kodak's lasting legacy in photography?

Kodak's legacy lies in its democratization of photography. The idea that anyone can take a picture, which started with Kodak's 'You press the button, we do the rest' slogan, has evolved into today's smartphone photography culture.