The apparatus famous like a dark chamber or camera obscura became a popular aid of painters since Leonardo da Vinci, because the set of lenses in the inside of this portable equipment threw a reflex on the glass refined desk.

Frenchman Joseph Nicephore Niepce used the same principle since 1816, which made the first snap - shot by so – called daguerreotype in 1839. This year is taken as the date of the invention of photography apparatus [in St – Loup – Varennes in Franc. Niepc`s aperture was consisted from two wooden boxes. There were lenses in one and a glass desk [an opacity desk] in the other. Both of them were connected with a leather bag for it the distance between them could be changed about a need.

The concurrent and the partner of Niepce was Louis Jacques Mande Daguerre who in 1839 made the first shot by so- called daguerreotype. This year he started to sell his first photo apparatus produced by Alphons Giroux and each copy carried the Daugerr`s signature. In 1835 the private explorer W. H. Talbot made his first photographic shot and also photographic apparatus. He used the apparatus based on the same principle like camera obscura, but it had only small dimensions, about 6 cm. His wife called the primitive equipment ‘ a trap for mice”.

Cinciannati Reversible Back Camera from 1889, 5 x 7, original price 28 dollars
(Taken from http://members.alo.com/Dcolucci/wood3.htm)

The development of photo apparatus went quite quickly ahead hand in hand with the development of photography. In 1888 the firm Eastman Dry Plate Company in Rochester in the state New York produced portable photo apparatus with a mark Kodak. The first slogan of the firm was ” Press a release and we will do the rest of all”. In that time it was something unbeliever because who wanted to photograph he had to be a chemist nearly. In its base it was only a business trick not the technical newness; the apparatus was equipped with a role of paper for 100 shots after their exposing the apparatus was sent to the form, which made a photographs and the firm sent them together with the apparatus back. One year later Kodak performed the first celluloid film and in 1896 the firm produced 100 000 pieces of it already. In 1900 the production of the photo apparatus Kodak Brownie, which was sold for unbeliever one dollar and it was easy accessible this way.

(Taken from http://www.kodak.com/aboutKodak/kodakHistory/kodak.shtml)

The basic of modern photography was put this way. Only a little was changed on its principle during a development a row of firms was founded, which photographs became a term in the world of photography. In 1924 it was for example the firm Leitz, which came in the fair with the photo apparatus Leica that was for so-called Kino – film, it is 35mm film. Considering that small dimension the apparatus became very popular especially among the journalists – documentaries. In 1947 Edwin Herbert Land introducing so – called the instant film and based Polaroid Land Company. There is developed the negative by chemical substance released just after exposition and for it the shot is finished immediately in the photo apparatus of this mark.

Edwin Herbert Land introducing his invention ” instant” photographs: in one minute after exposing
(Taken from http://www.polaroid.couk/firma/history.htm)

In 70ies Kodak started developing photo apparatus ” without a film”. But only after 20 years the first commercial digital apparatuses was showed. Even if the quality of shots cannot compete with the ” film’s” photo apparatus commonly they suit for common needs and they are nearly indispensable for work with computer and Internet.