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TIME Magazine has published its list of ‘the 50 most influential gadgets of all time,’ and included among them is the Kodak Brownie Camera (#8) and the Polaroid Camera (#27). According to the publication, the list is ordered by each gadget’s influence on subsequent technologies and devices, such as the Brownie camera that helped bring photography ‘into everyday use.’
The Kodak Brownie Camera, launched in February 1900, was priced at $ 1 and used inexpensive film, making it possible for anyone to capture snapshots of daily life. The low price and subsequent ease by which anyone could get into photography boosted film sales for Kodak, but that was only a small part of the Brownie’s role in our history and its influence on our future. Says TIME, the Brownie camera ‘helped capture countless moments and shape civilization’s relationship to images.’
Arriving later on (and further down the list) is Polaroid and its OneStep Land instant camera launched in 1977. This model holds the distinction of having been the first affordable and easy to use camera of its kind, says TIME, going on to become so popular that the influence of its ‘square-framed, often off-color snaps’ lives on today in apps like Instagram.
Are the Brownie and Polaroid cameras deserving of their spots on the list? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Via: TIME Magazine
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)