The first series of Kodak box cameras

Since the mid 1880’s George Eastman had tried to establish a system of photography based on flexible rollfilm:

• His company had developed a rollable, non breakable, lightweight film, that could be used in rollholders. These holders were attached to the back of plate cameras.
• He also introduced a film developing and printing service.
• He tried to manufacture a small and easy to use boxcamera, but this Eastman Cossitt Detective camera of 1886 was a commercial failure.

In 1888 Eastman constructed a new small and simple camera that was meant for amateur photographers who didn’t want to bother with chemicals and technical processes: the Kodak.
It made photography very simple because you could send the camera to the Kodak Co to have the film developed and the photos printed. The camera was a great success and many people started taking photographs.
The cameras were made in 4 sizes and the largest could also be used with glass plates.

Early ad for the Kodak box camera.
Below the printing department where all the prints were made.