1827: sliding wooden box camera
Paris, France - Charles and Vincent Chevalier
invent this prototype, which is a simple wooden
box with a sliding cover. The device had no
moving parts, and only functioned to expose
light for producing images. It was “activated” by
removing the cap manually, then replacing it
when the exposure was ready, often several
minutes later. This device was used by Joseph
Nicephore Niepce to capture the first permanent
photograph on a pewter plate coated with bitumen that same year.
~1900: miniature camera
& single-lens reflex camera
(SLR)
The camera was made even smaller
with the intent of capturing images
discreetly. These cameras could be
hidden in every-day handheld items
such as jewelry.
Though its origins go much further back
in time, the invention of a smaller, more
portable camera obscura came about in
the 18th century. The camera obscura
started out as a dark room-sized chamber
with a tiny opening in which an image
would be projected. The new machines
featured lenses and mirrors so that the
image projected could be easily viewed
and traced by users.
While the SLR and TLR had already
been invented, its bulkiness had
rendered it too awkward for widespread use. The 1928 Rolleiflex was
the first compact TLR model that
was practical. Also around this
time, General Electric invented the
modern flash bulb, allowing for
clearer images at a variety of
weather and time conditions.
The single-lens reflex camera
featured an internal mirror, allowing
users to preview the image they
were about to capture. This became
widely utilized within the realm of
news photography.
1880s: hand camera
~1700s: camera obscura
1928: Franke &
Heidecke Rolleiflex
twin-lens reflex (TLR)
In response to the development of
the “dry plate” photographic process,
which decreased exposure times
substantially, a much smaller camera
was invented. These cameras began
incorporating camera shutters, which
was faster than manually removing
and replacing a lens cap. With
shorter exposure times and a
portable camera, the need for tripods
was no longer a liability. Hand cameras also allowed for action shots and
the recording of movement--both
impossible beforehand.
In 1936, the first Western SLR
models began to incorporate
35mm film for exposures. This was
immensely popular and began
influencing proceeding models.
1960s: automatic
exposure and
through-the-lens
metering
The 1960s saw the first
cameras to feature
automatic exposure
systems and light
meters through the
lens. These new
features provided for
the ease and convenience of consumer
use.
1888: Kodak
1913: 35mm camera
1948: Polaroid
Rochester, New York - George Eastman manufactures the Kodak camera:
a fixed focus device that was loaded
with film to capture exposures.
Snapshots produced started as 2.5”
diameter circular pictures, gradually
increasing in size.
German Oskar Barnack builds
the first 35mm camera prototype working under Leitz.
Looking to create a compact
camera with high-quality
enlarging capabilities, Barnack
produced the Leica I in 1924.
This camera used 35mm cine
film to capture images.
Edwin Land invents the
first instant-picture
camera: the Polaroid
Model 95. These cameras allowed for the
production of positive
prints in less than a
minute. The Polaroid
line expanded and
became popular in the
1960s with the introduction of instant color film.
1948: pentaprism SLR
The Hungarian Contax S was
the first SLR camera to incorporate the pentaprism--the eyelevel viewfinder. This was
revolutionary because all SLRs
before then had waist-level
screens upon which focusing
was adjusted. The camera also
featured an instant-return
mirror. This prevented the
blackening-out of the viewfinder after an exposure was
taken.
1978: point-andshoot autofocus
camera
Konica produces the first
point-and-shoot autofocus
camera. This model utilized
a viewfinder, but had an
automatic exposure system
that would select the appropriate shutter speed. The
model had a fixed-aperture
lens and built-in electronic
flash. Film feed, however,
remained mechanical.
1990: digital camera
Digital cameras that captured
images as computerized files
became available to the
public in 1990 by Logitech.
The Dycam Model 1 featured
a CCD image sensor and
plugged into computers for
the direct downloading of
images.
The first digital cameras had
low resolutions. Newer
technologies during 19951999 introduced features
such as the built-in liquid
crystal display, CompactFlash,
video recording, and megapixels.
1986: analog
electric camera
The Canon RC-701 was the
first handheld analog electronic camera. This device
required access to uncommon equipment, such as the
frame grabber, and could
not produce quality images
comparable to film.
More popular models were
introduced in 1988 by
Canon and Nikon. These
were primarily utilized by
the press, producing greycale images at the same
quality as film cameras.
Digital images were stored
and made available through
video floppy disks.