Kodak Revolutionized Amateur Photography in 1888

In 1888, Kodak introduced the Kodak Number One box camera, a groundbreaking device that changed the landscape of amateur photography forever. Previously, photography was limited to professionals and dedicated enthusiasts who often needed access to complex equipment and darkroom facilities. With the introduction of roll film, Kodak made photography more accessible. This camera came pre-loaded, allowing users to simply 'press the button, we do the rest'. Once users captured 100 exposures, they would send the entire camera back to Kodak, who would develop the film and send back printed photographs along with a freshly loaded camera. The resulting images, while not as sharp or detailed as those from professional equipment, were groundbreaking for the era, as they enabled ordinary people with little or no knowledge of photography to take pictures. The term 'snapshot', previously used in hunting to describe a quick shot at a moving target, became associated with the new photography approach. Kodak’s innovations marked a significant shift in photography culture, democratizing the art form and allowing personal memories to be captured more easily than ever before.