Remember the iconic “Kodak moments” that captured our lives through the lens of Eastman Kodak Company in the eighties? Kodak had been a photography powerhouse for nearly a century, providing photographers worldwide with the film they needed to immortalize moments. Their first slogan, “You Press the Button, We Do the Rest,” in 1888 marked a new era where photography became accessible even to those without prior knowledge.
In a new video by Vox’s Coleman Lowndes, it explores how Kodak revolutionized photography. People started using Kodak cameras to document their everyday lives at home and travels, capturing portraits and candid street scenes. The advent of the snapshot, previously reserved for quick shots with a gun, revolutionized how people captured moments.
But it wasn’t until the introduction of the inexpensive Brownie camera that photography became democratized. “Take a Kodak with You,” another slogan in the early twentieth century, resonated with millions as even children could now become photographers. However, Kodak’s dominance was challenged by FujiFilm in the late twentieth century, and the rise of digital photography eventually led to Kodak’s bankruptcy in 2012.
Despite its struggles, Kodak pivoted to digital printing services and retained a niche market of dedicated enthusiasts. Their logo-emblazoned apparel also adds a retro appeal, attracting a new generation of photographers ready to capture their Kodak moments with camera phones.
Related Content:
The History of Photography in Five Animated Minutes: From Camera Obscura to Camera Phone
Visit a New Digital Archive of 2.2 Million Images from the First Hundred Years of Photography
How Film Was Made in 1958: A Kodak Nostalgia Moment
Henri Cartier-Bresson and the Decisive Moment
The Very Concise Suicide Note by Kodak Founder George Eastman: “My Work is Done. Why Wait?” (1932)
Hunter S. Thompson’s Advice for Aspiring Photographers: Skip the Fancy Equipment & Just Shoot
Colin Marshall, based in Seoul, writes and broadcasts on cities, language, and culture. His projects include the Substack newsletter Books on Cities and the book The Stateless City: a Walk through 21st-Century Los Angeles. Follow him on Twitter at @colinmarshall or on Facebook.
