Throwback Tech: 10 remarkable retro cameras

1. 1886- Victorian Spy camera

“The Victorian Spy Lancaster Watch Camera was patented in October 1886 and made until 1890. Such tiny cameras were the forerunners for the ‘spy’ camera”
– Lionel Hughes, Bonhams

2. 1937 – Mini Camera

This miniscule 35mm camera could fit right in the palm of your hand. It completely embodied the intricate scientific system behind cameras, “built like a watch, and simple to use.”

3. 1938 – Revolver Camera

This camera snapped a shot as every time the trigger was pulled.

4. 1975 – Kodak Digital Camera

This gadget was the first digital camera that Kodak ever made. “The camera 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.” It ran from 16 nickel-cadmium batteries, using a type of CCD imaging, and an a/d converter. Each time a photo was taken, it took 23 seconds for the digital image to be recorded onto the cassette deck.

5. 1900 – Giant camera

The Giant Camera was the world’s largest photo-taking device ever made. Weighing 1,400 pounds, it used a 4.5’ x 8’ glass-plate system of negatives. It was created by George Lawrence in 1900.

6. 1903 – Miniature Pigeon Cameras

Dr. Julius Neubronner developed a tiny pigeon camera that used a timing mechanism to automatically start filming once the pigeons were in mid-flight. This was one of the world’s first Go-Pro-type cameras. Neubronner received much international attention when he presented his invention at various European expositions.

7. 1914-1932 — The Autographic Kodak Camera

This particular camera provided the date and time that each photo was taken at.

8. 1936 — Kodak Retina II

Using 35 mm film, this rangefinder camera was on the cutting-edge by incorporating flash synchronization and wind levers.