History of Photography

Camera Obscura

Jan 1, 1500

This camera creates a smaller, upsidown image of a scene using mirrors and light.

Portable Camera Obscura

Jan 1, 1660

By 1660, camera obscuras had become portable

Johann Zahn

Jan 1, 1685

First practically portable camera was built by Johann Zahn

Johann Schulze

Jan 1, 1725

Invented the first light sensitive liquid with chalk and silver in nitric acid in a clear container.

Joseph Niepce

Jan 1, 1826

Created a light sensitive varnish. them exposed it to a camera obscura reflection for eight hours. The result was classified as the first photograph

Daguarre

Jan 1, 1835

daguerreotype process is when an image is created on a highly polished silver sheet, made light sensitive by iodine. The image is then developed by exposing it to hot mercury vapors. The images were high quality, but expensive

Richard Maddox

Jan 1, 1871

Created the first successful dry-plate negative. It developed after some exposure. This eliminated portable dark rooms

George Eastman

Jan 1, 1888

Using flexible roll film, Eastman introduced the 100-shot box camera. Kodak was invented at the same time as this camera

Motion Picture

Jan 1, 1891

Thomas Edison used celluloid flexible film to invent the motion picture

James Maxwell

Jan 1, 1907

Credited with inventing the first color photographs. Became commercial by the name Autochorme

Flashbulb

Jan 1, 1930

Flash bulb was invented

Edwin Land

Jan 1, 1947

Invented polaroid film. Black and white photos in 60 seconds. Also created instant color film in 1963. Full color photos in seconds