1957 - The History of Digital Photography Begins

The computer age has seen more scientific changes than any era since the world began. The history of digital photography, after a stumbling beginning, has developed and morphed as quickly as any other type of computer.

Most of us didn't really become aware of digital photography until the start of the new Millennium. Yet the first digital image was created in 1957! Computer pioneer Russell Kirsch asked “What would happen if computers could look at pictures?”

A photo of his infant son was scanned on an early hulking computer by Kirsch and his colleagues at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

In 1951 even before the NIST digital scan, the Bing Crosby laboratories produced magnetic tape that was able to capture live images from television cameras. The device was known as a VTR (Video Tape Recorder).

The VTR was improved by inventor, Charles Ginsburg, and, in 1956, it was marketed by Ampex Corporation for $50,000, forever transforming television.

1960's - I Spy!

As a result in 1969 NASA developed the CCD (charge-coupled-device) which converted light into electrical signals. The initial images were only 100 X 100 pixels, but by 1978 NASA cameras produced images up to 800 X 800 pixels. And, so the United States government became an integral part of the history of digital photography.

1975 - Experiment In Film-less Photography

(Texas Instruments patented the first film-less camera in 1972, but there seems to be no evidence that it was produced.)

Steve Sasson says that, "...a line from the technical report written at the time sums it up best:

'The camera described in this report represents a first attempt demonstrating a photographic system which may, with improvements in technology, substantially impact the way pictures will be taken in the future.'

But in reality", he quips, "we had no idea …"

In describing his philosophy for creating an invention, Steve explains, “The key, I think, when you’re putting across an idea is you have to understand the culture you’re dealing with".

His interview with New York photographer, David Friedman is below.

Inventor Portrait: Steven Sasson from David Friedman on Vimeo.

1980s - The Digital Race Is On!

Until the Mavica line was discontinued, Sony continued with upgrades that made the camera very popular with consumers.

1990 - Dycam introduced the Logitech Foto Man,the world's first completely digital camera.

1991 - SLR At Last!

Kodak's timeline for 1991 states that "the KODAK Professional Digital Camera System (DCS) was introduced, enabling photojournalists to take electronic pictures with a Nikon F-3 camera equipped by Kodak with a 1.3 megapixel sensor."

The DCS was created for professional photographers and came with a choice of a monochrome (black & white)or color filter back.

What's The Future History of Digital Photography !?!

Where on earth is the history of digital photography headed? "Bigger & Badder" 3D? Smaller and tinyier cameras? Super iPhones? More pixels? Larger capacity memory cards? Maybe someday we'll be able to control the camera mentally? Who knows...but at least one company, Artefact, visualizes a not-so-far-away day when cameras disappear into a super hybrid camera-phone that they call WVIL (Wireless Viewfinder Interchangeable Lens).

"Artefact is an independently owned international partnership dedicated to creating a preferable future for humanity."

John Pavlus, New York sci-tech writer/filmmaker, has featured Artefact's simulated photography vision at Fast Company's Co.Design supplemented by the video simulation below.

Concept Camera: The WVIL from Artefact on Vimeo.

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