Cameras Through History

1st Photographic Image

Jan 1, 1814

PhotoJoseph Niepce achieves first photographic image with camera obscura - however, the image required eight hours of light exposure and later faded.

First Daquerreotype

Nov 21, 1837

DaguerreotypeLouis Daguerre's first daguerreotype - the first image that was fixed and did not fade and needed under thirty minutes of light exposure.

First Calotype Process

Nov 21, 1841

CalotypeWilliam Henry Talbot patents the Calotype process - the first negative-positive process making possible the first multiple copies.

Collodion Process

Nov 21, 1851

Collodion ProcessFrederick Scott Archer invented the Collodion process - images required only two or three seconds of light exposure.

Panoramic Camera

Nov 21, 1859

Panoramic camera patented - the Sutton.

GDPSB Process

Nov 21, 1871

Richard Leach Maddox invented the gelatin dry plate silver bromide process - negatives no longer had to be developed immediately.

Durable Photographic Film

Nov 21, 1884

Rolled Photographic FlimGeorge Eastman invents flexible, paper-based photographic film.

First Digital Camera

Nov 21, 1984

Digital CameraCanon demonstrates first digital electronic still camera.