Before 1888, photography used to be a cumbersome process requiring glass plates. Needless to say, not many people were interested in taking pictures using that method. All of this changed when George Eastman introduced the first simple camera. The Brownie camera made it easy for regular people to take pictures and a popular pastime was born.
The development of roll film was the key factor that allowed handheld cameras to work in a simple way. Unlike the original glass dry plates, roll film was easy to fit into small cameras. Film was also much lighter, so it was easy to transport. It's no wonder that Kodak eventually became famous not for cameras, but for the film that went into them.
It once seemed unimaginable, but in modern times, Kodak has gotten out of the consumer film business. This is because of the rise of digital photographic technology. Ultra-thin digital cameras have almost completely replaced their film-based counterparts. This change was not kind to Kodak, which went through severe growing pains during the transition. Now, however, the company produces excellent digital cameras and other photography-related equipment.
Kodak's digital cameras pack high quality into small, affordable packages. Their consumer cameras are easy to hold with one hand and come in bold, modern colors. Most of these devices are meant for the casual photographer and cater to the needs of this market. Along with being generally cool, they come with software that makes it easy to share photographs with friends or post them online.
For more serious photographers, Kodak produces some cameras with higher capabilities. These offer optical zoom lenses and the ability to take great low-light shots. They also come with the same software as Kodak's other cameras, so it's still easy to share the pictures. To show the more serious nature of these devices, Kodak produces them in black.
To satisfy people's ever-growing desire for video recording, Kodak offers a range of brightly-colored digital video cameras. These inexpensive cameras make it easy for the typical consumer to make excellent videos. For those with more advanced needs, Kodak offers some video cameras that are shockproof or waterproof. The waterproofing works in depths up to 10 feet--deep enough to capture underwater action in almost any swimming pool.
Cameras aren't all that Kodak makes. It also produces a range of photo printers for easy on-the-spot creation of physical pictures from digital images. These all-in-one printers also handle normal document printing, copying, scanning, and faxing.
Kodak's other offerings include scanners, printing supplies, digital picture frames, and other items. All of these offerings are in keeping with the company's focus on imagery and related products.
Thanks to Kodak's focus on quality and ease of use, the brand remains in high regard despite the changes in technology throughout the years. Even though more than 100 years have passed since the introduction of its first camera, the company continues to fulfill the vision of its founder by making photography "as convenient as the pencil."