World's First Handheld Camera
George Eastman sells first handheld camera for $25.00.
By Brad Ratay
World's First Handheld Camera is Introduced to America
George Eastman shocked America with his invention of the handheld camera in 1888. It gave the power of capturing images available to the general public.
An advertisement from 1888 of the first Kodak camera by Kodak. Image is available for use in the public domain.
Cutaway front view of first Kodak camera by an unknown artist. This image is available for use in the public domain.
FIrst Invented in 1888, first produced in Rochester, NY.
Interesting Fact #1
The name "Kodak" has no real significance. The founder George Eastman chose the name because it contained his favorite letter, the letter K.
My Take on the Kodak Logo by Robin Ting. Image used with permission of a creative commons license.
Interesting Fact #2
The first Kodak camera cost $25 in 1888, or the equivalent of about $591 today.
Dollar Signs by Match Financial. Image used with permission of a creative commons license.
Interesting Fact #3
The first Kodak handheld camera had enough film for 100 pictures, which were then sent back to the factory to be processed by Kodak.
Young Man Developing Film, 1937 by Don O'Brien. Image used with permission of a creative commons license.
Impact on Industrialism
The first handheld camera gave consumers the power to document everyday life. It made capturing images easier and more accessible to the public. The first handheld camera paved the way for the modern micro cameras in our cellphones.