At the beginning of the 20th century, Eastman Kodak made a significant breakthrough with the introduction of the Kodak camera in 1888, which revolutionized photography and made it much more accessible to the general public. This camera was sold as a simple, user-friendly device that came pre-loaded with film for 100 exposures. Once the film was used up, the user would send the camera back to Kodak, which would develop the photos and send the camera back with new film.
This approach removed many of the complexities of photography that were previously barriers to entry, such as the need to handle glass plates and complicated developing processes. The marketing slogan "You press the button, we do the rest" exemplified the simplicity and convenience the Kodak camera provided. This innovation democratized photography, allowing a wider audience to capture everyday moments without needing extensive technical knowledge. As a result, it played a crucial role in popularizing photography as a hobby and a means of recording life events.