Kodak: A Revolutionary Shift in Photography

In 1888, the Eastman Kodak Company launched the Kodak Number One camera with the slogan 'You press the button, we do the rest,' revolutionizing photography for the masses. Previously, photography required extensive knowledge of chemistry, timing, and cumbersome equipment, making it accessible only to trained professionals. With the introduction of the Kodak Number One, a simple handheld box camera, amateur photographers could now capture images without prior experience. This marked a shift from formal studio portraits to casual snapshots, allowing individuals to document their lives in a more personal way. The innovative roll film allowed users to take 100 photos and send them back to Kodak for processing, exemplifying convenience in photography. A decade later, Kodak further democratized photography with the Brownie camera, tailored for children and priced at just $1, leading to mass adoption. Although Kodak dominated the photography market for over a century, its struggle against digital transformation led to a decline, ultimately filing for bankruptcy in 2012 and pivoting to digital printing. Despite changes, Kodak's legacy remains, embodying the idea that photography is an everyday pursuit, not limited to professionals.