AmSnaps - Digital Photography Basics For Amateur Snappers

A Brief History Of Kodak Digital Cameras

Part of the history of Kodak digital cameras involves inventing the first digital camera in 1975.

This is just one of many firsts that the Kodak Company has experienced since George Eastman received a patent on his plate-coating machine in 1879. Businessman Henry A. Strong saw the potential in this new and exciting product and financed Eastman.

Together, Eastman and Strong introduced film in rolls in 1883 and continued to brainstorm on how they could provide cameras to the general public instead of just photography professionals.

Finally in 1888, with the roll holder made to fit almost every plate camera on the market, George presented the Kodak camera that was pre-loaded with film. The roll of film was good for 100 exposures and priced at $25.

Eastman wasn't just satisfied to have developed a camera that could be used by everyone but had a grand plan of mass production at a low cost, international distribution, and focusing on the customer's needs through a huge advertising program.

Shareholders were located and in 1901, the Eastman Kodak Company was formed. Opening a distribution center in London and a manufacturing facility in Rochester, hundreds of thousands of amateurs were now able to take their own pictures.

Today there are manufacturing plants in Europe, North and South America and Asia that provide cameras to every corner of the world.

Many companies soon began manufacturing their own brand of cameras to get in on this fascinating lucrative product.

There are only five basic elements of a camera beginning with a glass or plastic piece that collects light and focuses on the image, called the lens. The body is the housing that holds the camera and the viewfinder gives the picture taker a clear view of what will be included in the picture.

A more complex feature on a camera is the diaphragm or aperture that controls the amount of light that is allowed to enter the lens. The shutter sets the length of time that the film is exposed to the light making it possible to freeze moving objects.

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