The history of the camera is a fascinating journey that spans many centuries of

technological advancements. Here is a concise overview of its development:

1. Camera Obscura: The camera obscura, which translates to "dark room" in Latin, is an
ancient optical device that was the precursor to the modern camera. As early as the 5th
century BC, Chinese philosopher Mozi described the principles of the camera obscura.
The device consisted of a darkened room or box with a small hole or lens on one side,
through which light would pass and project an inverted image of the outside scene onto
a surface inside.
2. First Portable Camera Obscura: In the 16th century, the camera obscura evolved into a
portable and handheld version. Artists and scientists used these portable devices for
drawing and observation, aiding in the development of perspective in art.
3. Camera Obscura in Photography: The principles of the camera obscura were
instrumental in the development of early photography. In the 1820s, French inventor
Nicéphore Niépce created the world's oldest surviving photograph, "View from the
Window at Le Gras," using a camera obscura and a photosensitive substance called
bitumen of Judea.
4. Daguerreotype - First Practical Photographic Process: In 1839, French artist and inventor
Louis Daguerre introduced the daguerreotype, the first practical photographic process.
It involved capturing images on a silver-plated copper plate coated with light-sensitive
silver iodide. Daguerreotypes were widely popular during the mid-19th century and
marked a significant milestone in the history of photography.
5. Calotype - First Negative-Positive Process: Around the same time as the daguerreotype,
English inventor William Henry Fox Talbot developed the calotype process, which
allowed for multiple prints to be made from a single negative. This negative-positive
process formed the basis for modern film photography.
6. Dry Plate Photography: In the 1870s, the dry plate process was introduced, which
replaced the use of wet collodion plates. Dry plates were more convenient and allowed
photographers to work with pre-prepared plates that didn't require immediate
development.
7. Flexible Roll Film: In 1888, George Eastman introduced the Kodak camera, which used
flexible roll film instead of individual glass plates. The camera was pre-loaded with a roll
of film that could capture multiple images before needing to be sent back to Kodak for
processing. This innovation made photography more accessible to the general public.
8. Birth of 35mm Film: In 1913, Oskar Barnack, an engineer at the German company Leitz,
developed the first 35mm film camera. The Leica I, introduced in 1925, became one of
the most influential cameras in the history of photography, setting the standard for
compact and portable cameras.
9. Digital Photography: The late 20th century saw the emergence of digital photography.
The first digital camera was created in 1975 by Steven Sasson, an engineer at Eastman
 Kodak. However, it wasn't until the 1990s that digital cameras became commercially
available and gradually replaced film cameras as the dominant photographic
technology.
10. Smartphone Cameras: In the 21st century, smartphones with built-in cameras became
ubiquitous, leading to a democratization of photography. These devices have
revolutionized how we take, share, and store images, making photography a part of
everyday life for millions of people worldwide.

Today, cameras continue to evolve with digital technology, offering ever-increasing

image quality, portability, and versatility, and they remain an essential tool for capturing
and preserving moments in time.