A selection of Kodak cameras, 1888-1999.

This selection, showing the changing design of Kodak cameras, includes George Eastman's (1854-1932) original 1888 Kodak camera (back left), folding cameras, box brownies, instamatics and a 1999 digital camera (front centre). The introduction of the Kodak camera in 1888 effectively marked the beginning of popular photography. The simplicity of operation, compactnes and lightweight of the camera set it apart from anything that had gone before it. The succes of the Kodak enabled Eastman to build an enormous international busines empire producing not only cameras, but film and a vast range of other photographic materials and equipment as well.