1970s

BREMSON / CAMERZ MODEL 10 - Circa 1970.  Reference the 1950s page. The Lustre-Pak, a wooden camera, was made by Bremson Photo Industries, Kansas City, Missouri for the purpose of taking high school yearbook photos. The above camera is a later version of their cameras which were rented to photographers, but with the difference that the it was manufactured by Photo-Control Corporation of Minneapolis, MN, for Bremson. Like the previous wood version, the above camera is entirely manual except for the shutter which also has an electronic release. Both used 35mm film and both used a string to allow the photographer to properly judge the distance to the subject, and like Bremson, Photo-Control Corporation is no longer in existence. Both the old and new version are extremely rare, especially in the near mint condition of the above sample. At the time of this writing, one seller had the lens portion without magazine "on sale" for $399.

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Camerz

YASHICA ELECTRO 35 GS- 1970.  The Yashica Electro 35 GS is a coupled-rangefinder, leaf-shuttered 35mm camera with aperture-priority automatic exposure. The Electro 35 GS/GT was released in 1970 by Yashica. The lens is a Color-Yashinon DX 1:1.7 f=45mm lens made in Japan and is identical to the one on the Electro G that precedes it and the GSN that follows it.

http://en.wukipedia.org/wiki/Yashica_Electro_35

       CCD Wafer                          CCD Construction           Assembled CCD

EIGHT-INCH FLOPPY DISKETTE - 1970. IBM invented the eight-inch floppy diskette and its drive to improve the distirbution of microcode patches and diagnostics. It was first used in 1971 on the IBM System/370 Model 145. The eight-inch floppy won rave reviews for its reusability, portability, and inexpensive high-density storage capability. Now it would take a hundred thousand of those original eight-inch floppies (80 KB each) to store the same data that many digicamers routinely place onto their 8-GB Compact Flash card. Later versions of the eight-inch floppy had a capacity of about 256 KB (information thanks to David Fiedler).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floppy_disk

FIRST COMMERCIAL SSTV CAMERA AND MONITOR - 1970. Robot Research, Inc. produces the first commercial version of the slow scan TV HAM radio image transmission devices originally developed by Copthorne McDonald in 1957. The company's first products were the 70A monitor (left) and 80A camera (center). Robot Research still produces SSTV equipment today and their products are used by many HAM operators. The Kenwood handheld VC-H1 is also popular for amateur radio transmission of images (see 1998). Products of both companies can frequently be found on eBay.

INTEL 4004 MICRO PROCESSOR - 1971.  In November, 1971, Intel publicly introduced the world's first single chip microprocessor, the Intel 4004, invented by Intel engineers Federico Faggin, Ted Hoff, and Stan Mazor (left to right above). The 4004 contained 2250 transistors on a single chip.

http://www.computerhistory.org/exhibits/internet_history/internet_history_70s.shtml

MCCORD/WESTPHAL DIGITAL ASTRONOMY PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT - 1971.   Dr. Roger Clark submitted information concerning the use of equipment in 1971 and thereafter to produce digitized photographs of the moon and other astronomical objects.   The camera head involved in the operation consisted of a silicon target of a vidicon tube which was scanned by an electron beam thereby producing an electrical signal that was then digitized and stored on tape. The electronics and tape recorder were mounted in a 53-cm electronics rack and the camera was attached to the rack by a cable.

This raises an interesting question, when should a photography system be described as digital photography?   That is, if a series of independent components are used to first capture an analog image and then convert it into a digital image, should such a system be described as a digital camera?   Where exactly do we draw the line between analog photography and digital photography?  In general, this may not be a question of consequence except when the matter of who developed the first digital camera arises.   I am not qualified to be the arbiter in such matters, so I merely present the material and viewers can come to their own conclusions.

To make matters a little more confused, I refer viewers to the bottom of my 1900-1920 page and the Bartlane Transmisson System.   That system converted black and white photos into digits representing several shades of gray, and then transmitted the data via punched tape where the photos were then reconstructed on the other end.   Strictly speaking, that system was a form of digital photography and could fairly be called the first instance of digital photography, or at least digital scanning.

The schematic shown above of the camera head is from a thesis by Jay Stuart Kunin which describes the McCord/Westphal project in detail.

Dr. Clark has a great deal of instructional material on his home page, so much so that it serves as a complete one stop location for everything having to do with digital photography.

After reading the material submitted by Dr. Clark, perhaps you would like to express your own opinion as what is a digital camera and who should get the credit for the first such camera.

Thesis

http://www.clarkvision.com/articles/first.digital.camera/

The first Digital Camera: 1971, by Dr. Rodger N. Clark

http://www.clarkvision.com/index.html

Home Page, Dr. Roger N. Clark

THE FIRST E-MAIL - 1971.  QWERTYUIOP,  these letters (or something similar) made up the first message to be sent electronically over e-mail.  If the letters looks familiar, it's because they make up the top row of the standard keyboard.  The person responsible for the first e-mail was Ray Tomlinson, a computer engineer.  Tomlinson was employed by Bolt Beranek and Newman, a company contracted by the United States Defense Department in 1968 to build ARPANET, the precursor to the Internet.  Before the first message could be sent Tomlinson needed to come up with an address.   He chose the @ symbol to distinguish addresses to mailboxes in a local machine and messages that were to be sent out onto the network.  Tomlinson says that he chose the @ symbol because it wasn't a person's name and for it's symbolic meaning, at; someone@someplace.  The first two machines to communicate via email were actually sitting right next to each other, both connected to the ARPANET.   At that time, computers communicated through a separate computer on the ARPANET network. This was where the transfer of "QWERTYUIOP" took place.  Within two years seventy-five percent of ARPANET traffic was e-mail. 

http://gunkelweb.com/coms465/email/firstemail.html

CASIO PHONE-MATE 400  - 1971 - Casio created the telephone answering device (TAD) industry by introducing the first commercially viable answering machine.  The Phone-Mate was built around a standard off-the-shelf box made of pressed sawdust covered with wood grain plastic.  The size of the box was determined by the minimum amount of space necessary to contain two small reel-to-reel tape recorders and the necessary electronics to make it into a telephone answering machine.  It was powered by four D-cell batteries and could record twenty messages before having to be rewound.  MSRP $300.

https://www.watchprosite.com/horological-meandering/time-flies-by--or-does-it-/17.1028423.7315243/

http://resume.wizzard.com/w1998/casiophonemate/corp.html

https://spectrum.ieee.org/the-consumer-electronics-hall-of-fame-phonemate-400

https://www.askqotd.com/the-answering-machine/

POLAROID SQUARE SHOOTER - 1971.  Originally produced between 1971 and 1972, the Square Shooter was a Ridged Plastic Bodied, Packfilm Type 80 instant camera. Although similar to the Colorpack II the Square Shooter was considered more advanced and that was reflected in the retail price of $34.95 as opposed to the Colorpack II retail price of $29.95.  It lacked the built-in development timer of the Colorpack II and was slightly smaller.  Camera donated by our beautiful daughter, Tatiya, who seldom misses a garage sale in our area (sorry guys, she's already married).

The Square Shooter featured:

A built in socket for Hi-Power flashcubes, a "Focused Flash" system.
Triangulation distance finder.
Exposure system designed only for 75 ASA films.
Typically they also featured the adjustable front cell focusing lens with distance scaling marked on the lens ring.
"Everset" shutter that did not need re-cocking.

http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Polaroid_Square_Shooter

Canon Canonet 28 - 1971-76.  Lens f/2.8 40 mm. Shutter 1/30 - 1/620 sec. MSRP with case $64 US (about $345 in 2010 dollars). It was purchased on eBay in excellent condition for $10.

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Canon_Canonet_28

FUJICA ST701 - 1971. The Fujica ST701 was the first camera using a silicon photo-cell receptor coupled to a field effect transistor (FET) circuit for light metering. The FET photo cell provided higher sensitivity, instantaneous response and more precise measurement of light compared to Cadmium-Sullfide (CdS) photo-cells used by other cameras at that time. The mercury batteries (1.35 volts) originally sold with the ST701 are no longer available. Owners should replace the old batterie with zinc/air cells of 1.35 volts such as Everready 675. Do not use alkaline cells of 1.55-1.6 volts because they will not work in the ST701. It may be necessary to to wrap the new batteries with tape or paper as they will probably be smaller in diameter than the original batteries. The ST701's f/1.8, 55 mm lens is considered to be of very good quality. The ST701 was also available with a chrome top in addition to the black top shown above. A camera similar to the one shown above with f/1.8, 55 mm lens and case was purchased on eBay in very good to excellent condiiton for $10.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fujica

PENTAX SPOTMATIC SPIIA - 1971.   Manufactured by Asahi Optical Company.  Model SPIIa sold in USA only as the Honeywell Pentax SPIIa.  Shutter 1 second to 1/1000 second.  Cds TTL metering.  Pentax screw mount.  Lens: Super Takumar 1:1.4 50mm.  F/1.4 - 16.

The Spotmatic SP II added the following features to the Spotmatic SP:

Switch for hot shoe (FP and X)
Roller on film door for better tracking of film
Improved shutter
Modified self timer
Modified meter and switch (greater EV range)
Increased ASA range
Shape of top cover
Brighter view finder

The above camera was donated to DigiCamHistory.Com in near mint condition by Ron Hardwick, one of Ohio's top professional golf instructors.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentax_Spotmatic

http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/AsahiPentaxSpotmaticSPII.html


http://www.pentaxforums.com/camerareviews/pentax-spotmatic-iia.html

ONE-STEP INSTANT PHOTOGRAPHY, Polaroid SX-70 - 1972.  The Polaroid SX-70 Land camera is introduced - the first fully automatic, motorized, folding, single lens reflex camera which ejected self-developing, self-timing instant color prints. Many consider the SX-70 to be Dr. Land's masterpiece. Original MSRP $180. The above kit in very good to excellent condition was obtained on eBay for $49, however, some vendors are currently (fall, 2010) askng as much as $390 for the same item. There are a great many SX-70s available on eBay, so be selective in your choice.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polaroid_SX-70

MINOLTA 16QT -1972.  Most 16mm cameras of the time were inexpensive with very few features.  The Minolta 16 QT was the last camera made for Minolta's 16mm film cartridges and had many features most other 16mm cameras did not have.  Frame size: 12 x 17mm, two speed shutter and three element triplet lens. Lens focused from 1.2m to infinity. The 16 QT had many unusual features for a 16mm camera: The viewfinder had three different indicators: a red transparent tab that indicated the current focus distance, a red warning bar to indicate that the camera was set to the slow speed, and lights to indicate over- and under-exposure. The viewfinder was an Albada type, with bright parallax-correcting frame-lines for distance and close-focusing. Shutter speeds: 1/250th and 1/30th, with flash sync at either speed. Apertures: f:3.5 to f:22. The QT accepted Minolta close-up lenses, filter, flash and viewing accessories, including a screw-on hot shoe that accepted standard flashes and offered a PC-socket pass-through. Chrome or black versions were available.  MSRP: 45.95 British pounds.  This 50-year old camera was purchased in August of 2022 in like new condition.

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Minolta_16_QT

http://www.subclub.org/shop/minolta.htm

ONE-STEP INSTANT PHOTOGRAPHY, Polaroid SX-70 - 1972.  The Polaroid SX-70 Land camera is introduced - the first fully automatic, motorized, folding, single lens reflex camera which ejected self-developing, self-timing instant color prints. Many consider the SX-70 to be Dr. Land's masterpiece. Original MSRP $180. The above kit in very good to excellent condition was obtained on eBay for $49, however, some vendors are currently (fall, 2010) askng as much as $390 for the same item. There are a great many SX-70s available on eBay, so be selective in your choice.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polaroid_SX-70

  FIRST U.S. ELECTRONIC PHOTOGRAPHY SYSTEM PATENT - 1972.   Texas Instruments patented a film-less electronic camera.  Inventor:  Willis A. Adcock;  (Dallas, TX).  Assignee:  Texas Instruments Incorporated (Dallas, TX).  Filed:  June 27, 1972 and again on October 29, 1976 and June 23, 1977.  Abstract :  "A completely electronic system for recording and subsequently displaying still life pictures includes an optical-electronic transducer for generating electronic signals responsive to an optical image. The signals are stored and subsequently applied to a visual display. Means are provided for applying the signals at a scan rate synchronized with the scan rate of the display to effect a stationary display of the optical image. Preferably, the display is a conventional television set."

The computerized patent office filing system only extended back to 1975 at the time of this posting, however, the refilings made in 1976 and 1977 are essentially the same as the original 1972 application and can be viewed in their entirety, including drawings, by doing a patent search.  To perform this search, go to the patent office's web site shown below and select "Patents" in the drop-down menu.  When the patents' page appears, select "Quick Search."  On the quick search page place the patent number in the "Term 1" box and select "Patent Number" in the "Field 1" (4,057,830 or 4,163,256) box.  In the "Select years" box select "All years" and press the search button.  To view the patent drawings, which are TIFF images, you must first download TIFF plug-ins which are free.  

For PCs use:
AlternaTIFF: http://www.alternatiff.com/(tested: IE, Netscape, Opera)

For the Apple Macintosh Apple's freely distributed Quicktime version 4.1 or later works, but does not provide printing capability. It is available from the Apple Web site at: http://www.apple.com/software/.

For Linux, a plug-in called "Plugger" works with Netscape Communicator�.  It is available at: http://fredrik.hubbe.net/

The U.S. Patent Office web site is at: http://www.uspto.gov

Date reference: http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bldigitalcamera.htm

FIRST CCD TV VIDEO CAMERA - 1972.  Using the Smith & Boyle CCD, Bell Labs researchers built the world's first solid-state video camera in 1972.  Left - Mike Tompsett and Ed Zimany test the new solid state camera.  Right - image of Mke Tompsett's wife.  In 1975, Bell Labs demonstrated the first solid-state camera with image quality sharp enough for broadcast television.  We believe we were the first digital camera history web site to provide a photo and information concerning this camera.

https://www.bell-labs.com/timeline/#/2010/1/closed/

http://www.ece.iit.edu/~pfelber/ccd/project.pdf

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/6715926949/boylesmith

RCA PROTOTYPE CCD TV CAMERA - 1972.   The camera used a CCD from Bell Labs with 32 x 44 pixels. 

http://www.oldradio.com/archives/hardware/TV/RCA-TV.htm

http://www.researchgate.net/publication/3073504_Single-chip_color_camera_using_a_frame-transfer_CCD

YASHICA ELECTRO 35 GSN- 1973.  The design of the Yashica Electro GSN essentially goes back to the first Electro 35 rangefinder released in 1965 and was not changed until the end of the production of the GSN in 1987. Its size is comparable to that of the Konica Auto S2 and the elder Minolta Hi-Matic models 7S, 9, and 11. It had a fast 1:1.7 45mm lens. There is a similar black finished model called Electro 35 GTN.

http://en.wukipedia.org/wiki/Yashica_Electro_35

FIRST COMMERCIAL CCD - 1973.  Fairchild Imaging successfully developed and produced the first commercial charge coupled device in 1973 with a size of 100 x 100 pixels.   In 1974, the above Fairchild CCD and an 8-inch Celestron telescope were used by James R. Janesick to produce the first astronomical CCD image (see James R. Janesick below).  It was also used in the world's first known operational electronic CCD still image camera which was constructed by Steve Sasson of Kodak (see farther down on this web page).   The above CCD was donated to DigiCamHistory.Com by Jim Janesick.

FAIRCHILD MV-100 - 1973.   The Fairchild MV-100 had the same 100 x 100 pixel CCD as the below MV-101 and was the first commercially available CCD camera.   Although it used a CCD imager, photos for the MV-100 and MV-101 below were recorded in analog, not digital (https://www.digitalkameramuseum.de/en/cameras/item/fairchild-mv-101).

http://www.imagesensors.org/Past%20Workshops/Marvin%20White%20Collection/1976%20Papers/1976%2022%20Hoagland%20INCOMPLETE.pdf

https://www.tvcameramuseum.org/earlyccd/fairchild/mv100p1.html

FAIRCHILD MV-101 - 1973.     The MV-101 was about 76mm in diameter and 48mmin length (without lens). The above 1x128 pixel experimental CCD was developed by Fairchild.  The Fairchilld CCD 101 was donated to DigiCamHistory.Com by James R. Janesick.

https://www.tvcameramuseum.org/earlyccd/fairchild/mv100p1.html

(1) .  The  Fairchild MV-101 was used to perform Procter & Gamble product inspections and was also used in the world's first still image digital camera hand-built by Steve Sasson of Kodak - see article below:  KODAK PROTOTYPE CCD DIGITAL CAMERA - 1975.  MSRP $4,000.

See 1981 page, UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY FAIRCHILD ALL-SKY CCD CAMERA - 1981,  for use of the Fairchild CCD by the University of Calgary in their All-Sky camera. Television

(2) Applications of interline-Transfer CCD Arrays, Kenneth A. Hoagland, 1976 (Fairchild Corp.), page 154 (This article is available on the Internet as a PDF document: http://www.imagesensors.org/Past%20Workshops/Marvin%20White%20Collection/1976%20Papers/1976%2022%20Hoagland%20INCOMPLETE.pdf

(3) From Presentation by K. W. White, Electronic Imaging International Conference, 1993.   The article by K. W. White discussing the use of the Fairchild MV-101 camera to perform Procter & Gamble product inspections is no longer available on the web, but may be purchased from the German National Library of Science and Technology 

(4) TV Technology On Display in New York: by Stephen Traiman. Lincoln Center. "Pocket-sized solid-state camera shown by Farichild" (MV-101 CCD-charge coupled device at $4,000). Billboard, 8 February 1975, page 47.

THE ADVENT OF DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY IN ASTRONOMY AND SPACE EXPLORATION AS EXPERIENCED BY ONE OF IT'S PIONEERS

Questar  astronomical CCD telescope
Celestron astronomical CCD telescope
 

Fairchild 100 x 100 area array (CCD201ADC)
Questar modified Nikon F camera

Fairchild linear 1 x 128 CCD (CCLID-60A)
Vidicon tube
CCD collection
 

http://www.digicamhistory.com/Spacecraft%201960s%20and%2070s.html

Fairchild linear 1 x 500 CCD
Fairchild linear 1 x 256 CCD (CCD110DC)

........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

For more on James Janesick, CCD technology and use of CCDs in space click here

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KEYSTONE  MODEL 800 Instant Camera - 1975.  The Keystone Camera Company, a division of the Keystone Manufacturing Co., was founded in Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1910. They were an American manufacturer of consumer photographic equipment. Notable products were movie cameras, 126 cartridge and 110 cartridge cameras with built in electronic flash (the "Everflash" series). In the 1930's, they made inexpensive 8mm and 16mm movie cameras that are still in use today. They were acquired by Berkey Photo, Inc. in 1966. In 1978, Berkey sold its camera division and thus abandoned this market. The Keystone Camera Company filed for chapter 11 protection in January 1991. Later in 1991, they were purchased by Concord Camera Company.  The instant cameras made by Keystone, unlike Kodak instant cameras, used Polaroid types 88, 107 and 108 film packs, thus were not objected to by the Polaroid Corporation.  Automatic film exposure, shutter 1/500 to 10 sec, flash and timer.  Original MSRP $79.95

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Keystone_Camera_Company

http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Keystone_Everflash

CCD FABRICATION - 1974.  Dr. Gil Amelio conceives a fabrication process that allows CCDs to be produced on a conventional wafer fabrication line.  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gil_Amelio

http://www.aavso.org/files/ccd_school_2.pdf

SONY AVC-3250 - 1974. The AVC-3250 was used in many schools and corporate video studios of the time. Two thirds-inch vidicon tube for pickup, detachable four-inch CRT viewfinder for aiming. Lens: f 1.8, 12.5mm - 75mm.  6 to 1 zoom. This camera and others in the series were the work horses of their day. For those interested, a fine collection may be established sticking just to video cameras. See the web site below for an idea of items available. The above camera with two lenses and case with accessoiries, all in excellent conditon, were purchased on eBay for just $76.

http://www.labguysworld.com/Sony_AVC-3250.htm

Shown below is the Akai VC-115 studio videocamera which was used for much the same purposes as the Sony AVC-3250.

https://nwc98-livejournal-com.translate.goog/20282.html?_x_tr_sl=ru&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc

TEAC HC-100 - 1974. Shown above is a TEAC video camera similar to the Akai VC-115 , the HC-100. For those collectors looking for a specialty area, early vidoe cameras and camcorders are plentiful in excellent condition and at bargain basement prices. This HC-100 in with fitted cased was obtained on eBay for only $20.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TEAC_Corporation

KODAK XL 340 - 1974. One of the many amateur movie cameras marketed by Kodak over the years that can now be purchased by the collector in excellent condition very inexpensively . Film: Super 8 cartridge. Shutter: 9, 18 frames per second. Lens: Manual focus Ektar 9-21mm f/1.2

http://super8wiki.com/index.php/Kodak_XL_340

http://www.usedprice.com/items/camera/kodak/super8-movie-camera/xl340-81793.html

MAMIA RB67 PRO S - 1974. Medium foremat (6 x 7 cm) camera. The RB67 had a rotating back which enabled photographs to be taken in either landscape or portrait orientation without rotating the camera, a very valuable feature for studio cameras mounted on heavy tripods. . The RB67 soon became widely used by professional studio photographers. In 1995 Kodak marketed the Kodak 463c (color) and 465m (monotone) digital backs for the RB67.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamiya

TOSHIBA IK-12 - 1974.   The world's first  single-tube color consumer video camera.

http://toshiba-mirai-kagakukan.jp/en/learn/history/ichigoki/1973color_camera/index.htm

FOR MORE INFO CLICK HERE

CROMEMCO CYCLOPS - 1975.  The Cromemco Cyclops was an all-digital camera introduced as a commercial product in 1975.  Its design was published as a hobbyist construction project in the February 1975 issue of Popular Electronics magazine.   It was the first commercial all-digital camera using a digital MOS area image sensor.   It was also the first digital camera to be interfaced to a microcomputer. The digital sensor for the camera was a modified 1K memory chip that offered a resolution of 32 X 32 pixels (0.001 megapixels).  The Cyclops Camera was developed by Terry Walker, Harry Garland, and Roger Melen.   The Cyclops used an image sensor that was a modified MOS computer memory chip.  The opaque cover on the chip was removed and replaced with a glass lid.  Initially the 1024 memory locations, which were arranged in a 32 X 32 array (4 bits per pixel), were filled with all 1s.  Light shining on these memory cells would cause their contents to change to 0s. The stronger the light, the more quickly a cell would change from 1 to 0.  The Cyclops used a 25mm f2.8 D-mount lens to focus an image on the sensor array. The memory array was scanned once to store all 1s in the memory elements. This was followed by a series of 15 read-out scans. The cells that had the most incident light (i.e. the brightest parts of the picture) changed from 1 to 0 the soonest. Cells with little or no incident light (i.e. the darkest areas of the picture) would not change at all. So with a series of scans the Cyclops could produce a digital, gray-scale representation of the image.  Detailed information is available at the below wikipedia URL. 

POLAROID / USI INC. M500 PASSPORT / ID SYSTEM - 1975. Polaroid has marketed a great many different instant photo products over the years, many of which are not known to the general public because they were sold for industrial/scientific or medical purposes.  Some of these appear on eBay from time-to-time.  The M500 ID system kit contained a camera capable of  taking four instant photos at one time, four of the same photo, two photos of two, or four different photos.  The camera had a built-in flash and variable exposure system.  This early model kit included  the Polaroid M500 mountable camera, mounting stand, photo die cutter, heat laminator, supplies and carrying case.  The system was produced in conjunction with USI Inc., a producer of laminating products and other office equipment.  This particular sample appears to have had little or no use as all items in the set are in mint condition.  The stand appears to have never been removed from its stow-away position and the carrying case does not have the usual scratches and abrasions normally present indicating that it has been moved about. 

https://prezi.com/nz_wji4ih5ky/the-evelution-of-camera/

SATCOM 1 - 1975.  SATCOM 1, America's first commercially available geo-stationary satellite was  placed into orbit by a Delta rocket December 12, 1975.  Geo-stationary means that the satellite was placed at a distance above the earth's surface and over the equator where it would revolve around the earth within the exact same time period that it takes for the earth to rotate on its axis (synchronous orbit).  This causes the satellite to stay continually above the same point over the earth's surface so that satellite receivers do not have to follow a moving satellite.  It also means that spy satellites can view the same area of the earth's surface twenty-four hours a day.  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satcom_%28satellite%29

BAYER COLOR FILTER ARRAY - 1975.  Bryce Bayer invented the color filter array that bears his name (the Bayer filter), which is incorporated into nearly every digital camera and camera phone on the market today. Described in U.S. Patent 3,971,065, "Color Imaging Array," filed in 1975, color filters are arranged in a checkerboard pattern to best match how people perceive images, and provide a highly detailed color image. The Bayer Filter enables a single CCD or CMOS image sensor to capture color images that otherwise would require three separate sensors attached to a color beam splitter - a solution that would be large and expensive. The red, green, and blue colors of the Bayer filter are fabricated on top of the light-sensitive pixels as the image sensor is manufactured, a process pioneered by Kodak.  The drawing on the right of Mr. Bayer's photo is from his notebokk where he first describes the Bayer system color sensor array.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0911/09111701brycebayerhonor.asp

BETAMAX SL-6200/6300, LV-1801/1901 - 1975.   On 16 April 1975 Sony announced the SL-6300 Betamax VCR deck and the LV-1801 TV/VCR combination incoporating the SL-6300 and an 18-inch trinitron color television.  On 10 May 1975 Sony aonnounced the LV-1901 with a 19-inch Sony Trinitron color TV and an SL-6200 Betama VCR deck.  These were the first successful consumer videocassette.  The first Betamax product released in the United States, the combination LV-1901 TV/VCR floor model, appeared in November 1975 priced at $2295.  The one hour Betamax cartridges were considerably smaller than the earlier U-matic cartridges, and the system derived its name from the resemblance of the tape path inside the mechanism to the Greek letter "Beta"
http://www.cedmagic.com/history/betamax-lv-1901.html

FOR MORE INFO CLICK HERE

 

   FIRST CCD FLATBED SCANNER TO READ TEXT WRITTEN IN ANY NORMAL FONT- 1975.   Invented by Kurzweil of Computer Products using the first integrated chip.  Ray Kurzweil and his team at Kurzweil Computer Products created the Kurzweil Reading Machine and the first omni-font OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology.  They did this work in support of individuals who are blind. The world's first commercially viable flatbed scanner was developed later in 1984 by Samir Lehaff of Eskofot inDenmark (information provided by Ron Tussy of The Imerge Group).
http://www.kurzweiltech.com/aboutray.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scanner_%28computing%29
 

ALTAIR 8800 HOME COMPUTER - 1975.  The Mits Corporation introduced the  first popular home computer, the Altair. The Altair computer kit sold for about $400 and began the personal computer revolution.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altair_8800

POLAROID ELECTRIC ZIP CAMERA- 1975-78.  One of the less expensive Polaroids with an MSRP of $21.95 (about $89 in 2010 dollars). It was available in red, white, blue or black.

http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Polaroid_Electric_Zip

KODAK PROTOTYPE CCD DIGITAL CAMERA - 1975.  A Kodak engineer, Steve J. Sasson, holds a camera he constructed, the world's first known CCD still image digital camera that was self-contained - you could hold the entire camera in your hand - no external devices such as computers were required (the Cromemco Cyclops shown above was the first digital camera, but required use of a computer such as the Altair - it was actually marketed!)  Sasson's camera used the newly developed Fairchild black and white 100 X 100 Pixel (.01 megapixel) CCD as an image sensor and required 23 seconds to record a single image onto digital cassette tape (photo shown on the right). The camera weighed 8 1/2 pounds.  Rochester (NY) Democrat & Chronicle, page 8D, October 16, 2001.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Sasson

HITACHI (SHIBA) SHIBADEN FP-100 - 1975.  WHO INVENTED DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY?  Example of a professional model closed circuit studio TV camera of the era. Lens:Shibaden Fujinon TV zoom 1:1.8, F=20-100mm. Shiba Electric merged with Hitachi Electric in 1973 to form Shinsei Hitachi Electronics.

http://www.labguysworld.com/Shiba-FP-100-Flyer.htm

MINOLTA SR-T 200 - 1975. Lens Minolta Rokkor f/2 50 mm. Shutter 1-1/1000 sec plus B. The above camera in near mint condition was obtained on eBay for $20 although Mckeown's indicates a price range of $100-$150.

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Minolta_SR-T_series

CANON 110ED, Vivitar 600 - 1975, 1976. The Canon 110ED and Vivitar 600 were two of many 110 cameras marketed by Canon, Vivitar and others during the 70's. Canon: lens f2/ 25mm. Shutter: 8 - 1/500sec. Vivitar: f8 24mm. Shutter 1/250 sec only.

www.mediajoy.com/ en/cla_came/canon110ed/

VIVITAR 220-SL - 1976. What will $25 get you these days? How about a Vivitar 220-SL 35 mm camera, a 50 mm lens, a 200 mm lens, a 2X tele adapter, and a flash, all in near mint condition. Unfortunately, the camera did not come with a manual. An original manual cost an additional $28.90, more than all the equipment previously mentioned!

http://www.flickr.com/groups/vivitaramniacs/

KEYSTONE XL200 - 1976-80. The XL200 had a fixed-focus f/1.1 lens with 9-18mm zoom. Exposure was by CdS photocell on Super 8 film. Original MSRP was around $122, which would be about $493 in 2012 dollars. All cameras have a story to tell, but unless you happen to know the previous owner you generally receive only the camera itself with no idea of its previous history. This case is a lttle different. The box contained the gift card shown above telling us a little bit about who it was purchased for and by whom. The outer envelope says mom and dad. The gift card tells us that this fairly expensive camera was intended to cover several occasions: Father's Day, Mother's Day, and someone's birthday; and was presumably given by their children, Nancy, Tim and Kim. If Nancy, Tim or Kim happens to come across this web site, be assured that your thoughtfull gift now has a happy home and will be well cared for indefinitely into the future.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keystone_Camera_Compan

KODAK ANALYST - 1975. If you like to collect unusual cameras there are many available, often quite inexpensively. For example, the Kodak Analyst Super 8 shown below is a Super 8 movie camera with one unusal feature - it has a timer which allows the user to take time lapse photographs rather than movies. The Analyst appears on eBay fairly frequently and can be purchased in excellent condition for about $30.

http://super8wiki.com/index.php/Kodak_Analyst

FIRST PHOTO FROM ANOTHER PLANET, VENERA-9 - 1975. On October 20, 1975 The Soviet lander Venera-9 transmitted the above panorama from Venus.

http://www.mentallandscape.com/C_CatalogVenus.htm

KH-11 RECONNAISSANCE SATELLITE - 1976. The KH-11, referenced by the codenames Crystal and Kennan , also commonly known as Big Bird, was a type of reconnaissance satellite launched by the American National Reconnaissance Office from December 1976 to October 2005. Manufactured by Lockheed, the KH-11 was the first American spy satellite to utilize electro-optical digital imaging, and create a real-time optical observation capability. It is believed to resemble the Hubble Space Telescope in size and shape, as the satellites were shipped in similar containers. Using a powerful 2.3-meter mirror, the theoretical ground resolution with no atmospheric degradation would be approximately 6 inches. Data was transmitted through the United States military's Satellite Data System relay network. Shown above is a leaked KH-11 photo showing the Nikolaiev 444 shipyard in the Black Sea taken in 1984.  The KH-11 had a charge-coupled device (CCD) array with a resolution of 800 x 800 pixels (0.64 megapixels). KH-11 satellites are believed to have been the source of some imagery of the Soviet Union and China made public in 1997, as well as images of Sudan and Afghanistan made public in 1998 that were related to the response to the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KH-11

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KH-11_Kennan

http://photography2000.weebly.com/history.html

http://www.americaspace.com/?p=20825

CANON AE-1 - 1976.  First 35mm camera with built-in microprocessor (CPU - central processing unit). TTL Cds meter. About $630 with f1.4 lens. That would be about $2,549 in 2012 dollars.   Click on image for enlarged view.

http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Canon_AE-1

PETRI  FT 1000 - 1976.  Previously Kuribayashi, the Petri company went bankrupt in 1977. Those manufactured under the Kuribayashi name are quite rare and highly sought after in Japan. The above camera with three lenses, all in excellent condition, and an original manual were purchased on eBay for a winning bid of $10.

http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Petri

MINOLTA ZOOM SLR - 1976.  First 110mm SLR camera. 25-50mm, f/4.5-f/16 zoom lens.

en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Minolta_110_Zoom_SLR

5.25-INCH FLOPPY DISK - 1976.   In 1976 Shugart Associates began production of 5.25 disk drives, believed to be the first standard computer medium that was not promulgated by IBM. On the right is something rarely seen these days outside of a museum - an unopened package of 5 1/4-inch floppies. Package kindly donated by our good friends, Ruth and Ken Schumacher.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floppy_disk

VHS - 1976. JVC introduced VHS (video home system), the most successful of all home video formats. It was introduced as a competitor of Sony Betamax.  250 lines of resolution. Maximum length of tape was 180 minutes in SP mode, 540 minutes in EP mode.

http://www.labguysworld.com/formats.html

http://www.jvc.co.uk/template.php?page=100014

 
JVC HR-3300 - 1976.  The first VHS home video cassette recorder was introduced in Japan by Japan Victor Corporation in September of 1976.  In April of 1976 JVC had demonstrated a VHS prototype to Sony, but Sony considered VHS to be a copy of Beta and refused to adopt the VHS design.   VHS eventually  replaced Sony's Betamax design in the comsumer market although  Beta is  stilled used for non-consmer products.

FOR MORE INFO CLICK HERE

http://www.rewindmuseum.com/vhs.htm

  SONY SL-7200 - 1976.  The first stand-alone Sony Betamax VCR in the United States, the SL-7200, came on the market in February 1976 priced at $1295. This unit sold much better than the previous TV/VCR combo LV-1901. The external clock to turn the unit on and off at preset times was an optional accessory.   The clock was placed externally at the request of Sony chairman Akio Morita.  Upon seeing a prototype unit in a lab with an internal clock, he insisted that the clock be external so that if the clock malfunctioned it could be repaired without requiring that the entire VCR be brought into a service center. http://www.cedmagic.com/history/betamax-sl-7200-1976.html
 

APPLE I - 1977.  Apple introduced its first home computer, the Apple I.  The Apple I was based on the MOStek 6502 chip, whereas most other kit computers were built from the Intel 8080.  The Apple I was sold through several small retailers and included only the circuit board.  Users bought the workings and built their own case.   A tape-interface was sold separately.  The Apple I's initial cost was $666.66.   Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, the most famous members of the Homebrew Computer Club, designed the Apple I in 1976.   Many leaders in mainline computer companies like IBM and Digital did not believe that personal computers were powerful enough to have a market.  Sales of the Apple I and other PC's that followed proved them wrong.  Click on image to see enlarged view.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_I

APPLE II- 1977.  The first Apple II's were shipped in June 1977 and retailed for $1298 each. The Apple II was the first computer with a color display, and it had the BASIC programming language built-in, so it was ready-to-run right out of the box. The Apple II could be considered the first user-friendly system.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_II

CASI PHOTO SYSTEM - 1977.  The CASI was intended to be used for the making of portraits, the first commercial use of such a system. It required the use of a TV camera, computer and printer. The company, Computer Amusement Systems Inc., is still in business. June 1984 Popular Science, page 129. Photo and information provided by Mike Mozart, JeepersMedia.

http://www.youtube.com/user/JeepersMedia

https://cool.culturalheritage.org/videopreservation/BHoIT.pdf

KONICA C35-AF - 1977.  Konica introduced the C35-AF, the world's first compact point-and-shoot autofocus camera. It used two mirrors, one of which pivoted as the lens changed focus. Image contrast was greatest when the two images merged on the focusing sensor. At that time a solenoid stopped the moving lens at the appropriate focus distance. Hexanon 38mm f/2.8 lens. Shutter 1/6- - 1/250 second. Built-in flash and motor drive

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konica_C35_AF

http://www.konicaminolta.com/

ROLLEI 35T - 1978.  When the Rollei 35 was first introduced in 1966, it was the world's smallest mass produced full frame 35 mm camera.  It could fit in a shirt pocket (H = 2.57inches, W = 4 inches, D = 1.5 inches). High quality all metal construction and high quality optics led to its great success. The lens collapsed and receded into the body. Front mounted f-stop and shutter speed controls were linked to a match needle" metering system. In order to make use of all available space the hot shoe flash mount was positioned on the bottom of the camera. Other oddities included a left hand film advance and a completely removable back for film loading. Various models have been produced with the SE model being the most advanced. Originally made in Germany, some production was done in Singapore. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rollei_35

RCA BW003 - 1978. An example of an early consumer video camera. The B-003 was a 2/3 inch vidicon camera that was intended to compliment early VHS machines and allow the consumer to shoot home movies. The viewfinder is a simple peep sight with a reticule marked for either a 25mm or a 12.5mm lens for close-up and/or wide angle shooting. The microphone was built into the front of the camera. Many such early video cameras are available to the collector very inexpensively. The one shown above was purchased on eBay in excellent condition with manual, converter and cables for $20.  MSRP about $400 ($1,300 in 2015).

http://www.mediamaestro.net/audiovideo.htm

KODAK TELE-EKTRA - 1978. Kodak's version of an inexpensive 110 camera. Many manufacturers produced 110 cameras during this time period and they make an interesting collection in and of themselves. They take up very little space and most are very inexpensive. The above camera in excellent condition with manual and a box of vintage flashbulbs was purchased for $3.00.

http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Kodak_Tele_Ektra_32

Kodak Instant Cameras - 1976-86.   In October 1985, after nine years of patent litigation with Polaroid, Kodak was banned from making and selling instant cameras and film. The ban took effect January 1986, at which time Kodak announced a trade-in program. The owners of 16.5 million cameras were given the chance to trade in their cameras for a share of Kodak common stock, a new camera, or $50 worth of Kodak merchandise.  By June of 1986, several class action lawsuits had been filed against Kodak by instant camera owners.  The final settlement called for owners to return the camera's nameplate for a refund of cash and credits.  The numerous Kodak Instant cameras without nameplates have virtually no collector or commercial value. Some Kodak instant cameras have the following names: Champ, Colorburst, EK, Handle, Happy Times, Kodamatic, Partyflash, Party Star, Partytime, Pleaser, Trimprint.  Shown above left to right: Colorburst 100 (1978-80) MSRP $45, two Colorburst 200 (1978-80), MSRP $59.50, EK4 (1976-78), MSRP $53.50, The Handle (1977-79), MSRP $39.95, and The Handle2 (1979-81), MSRP $40.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/instant_camera 

POLAROID SONAR ONESTEP PRONTO - 1978.   The Sonar Onestep was one of the rather unique cameras that Polaroid produced using high frequency sound waves to operate the autofocus system. That is, it determined the distance to the subject in somewhat the same way as a bat does, by emitting high frequency sounds that bounces back to the camera, but which cannot be heard by human ears.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Polaroid_instant_cameras

NOVELTIES - One area where one can collect a great many photography items without spending a lot of money and without requiring a lot of storage space. The types of camera novelties available on eBay is almost unlimited: cuff links, cups, clothing, toys, office accessories, decorative items, fake cameras, storage containers, etc. Several are shown below.

COCA-COLA CHRISTMAS EDITION CAN CAMERA - 1970s.  One of many can cameras made in the late 70s and early 80s. A 110 camera was fitted inside. Most can cameras were made by Eiko. With few exceptions, all of Eiko's cameras were "can cameras", that is, cameras built into a tin can. These were often sold or given away as promotions by soda and beer manufacturers. Various models were made from 1977 to 1983, but they all included a 110 camera hidden inside a can with a variety of nameplates.   Many came from countries other than the U.S. and all were awkward to use.

https://www.darksilverblog.com/cancamera

https://www.flickr.com/photos/awcam/8711535128

FISHER PRICE GO TO THE ZOO CAMERA TOY - 1973. Each time the yellow button is pushed the flash cube rotates and a different zoo animal appears in the viewer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKij2HeEl7E

MODERN VIDEO DISC - 1978.  Philips and Sony collaborated to make digital imagery a reality (see THE VIDEO DISK - 1961.  David Paul Gregg).  Sound and images were digitally recorded and imprinted as micro-pits on a disc.  A laser then optically scanned the information and converted it into pictures and sound on a home TV.  Pioneer made use of the format as Karaoke Entertainment which made the format popular in commercial circles of Asia. Discs and players are readily available on eBay. Lewis M. Branscom, Confessions of a Technophile, 1995, page 130

FIRST OPTICAL DISC PLAYER- 1978.  MCA DiscoVision and Philips worked together to introduce the new system, with MCA focusing on disc mastering and replication and Philips manufacturing and distributing the playback system through its Magnavox line of electronics. In december of 1978 MCA discs and Magnavox VH-8000 players went on sale in three Atlanta Georgia stores at $749 for the player. The technology later resulted in today's CDs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laserdisc

NATIONAL  CR-1 - 1978.  It appears to be a typical 110 camera with a built-in flash, but  has something extra - an internal AM radio.    It was first marketed in 1978, and was followed by C-R2 and C-R3 models.  24mm (f5.6), fixed-focus lens. Single speed shutter.  The film is advanced by a lever on the bottom. The radio and flash are powered by two AAA batteries.  The camera can be used without the batteries.  Also marketed as the Radicame C-R1.

http://www.subclub.org/shop/national.htm

http://www.subclub.org/shop/cr1.htm

http://www.submin.com/110/collection/national/index.htm

SONY HVC-1000 - 1979. The HVC-1000 is an example of an early Beta video camera. Originally, the HVC-1000 required an adapter to record to Beta recorders. Later, it could record directly to the Sony SL-2000 and SL-2500 of 1982. The Sony BC-300 battery charger shown on the right was for NP-11 batteries used in Betamovie camcorders. It's somewhat unique in that it held three batteries and charged them sequentially one at a time. User could select the order of charging. Once a battery was charged it could be removed while the remainder continued to charge. Sony information provided by Jack Carter, Sony technician. The above camera with fitted hard case was purchased in excellent condition for only $9.99. MSRP $1,329.

http://experimentaltvcenter.org/sony-hvc-1000-mf-trinicon-color-video-camera

https://playbackrental.wordpress.com/video-cameras/sony-hvc-1000-1979/

RCA CC002 - 1979. A semi-professional closed circuit video camera of the type used by various schools and universities. For those looking for a specialized area of collecting these types of video cameras are often available on eBay at a fraction of their original cost. The camera above in excellent condition in its original box was obtained for only $44. Although not apparent in the above photo, the CC002 is significanlty bigger and heavier than the typical home video camera of the same era.  MSRP $850, about $2,700 in 2015

http://www.labguysworld.com/Cat_RCA.htm

  DIGITAL AUDIO TAPE SYSTEM - 1979.  Sony introduces digital recording tape.  CBS Records International is the first major record company headquarted in the United States to take delivery of Sony's new PCM-1600 (pulse code modulation) digital audio processor and editing equipment.  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Audio_Tape

DURST M600 - 1979.  Typical enlarger of the kind used during the era when many photography hobbyists developed and printed photos in their own home photo lab.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durst

SONY TPS-L2 WALKMAN - 1979. Sony  introduced the Walkman TPS-L2 personal stereo.  A midnight-blue-and-silver with high quality sound, the TPS-L2 debuted in July 1979. Called the Soundabout in the United States, it didn't record or come with a speaker, but two could listen at once through a pair of headphone jacks, and an orange button called the Hotline let the owner talk over the music. MSRP $200. 

FOR MORE INFO CLICK HERE

CCD CAMERAS IN ASTRONOMY - 1979.  An RCA 320 x 512-pixel liquid nitrogen cooled CCD system began operation on a 1-meter telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory.  Observations quickly demonstrated its superiority over photographic plates.  CCDs are best for high-resolution imaging -- this is where they really come into their own.  Because of the dim light associated with large image scales, the relatively poor sensitivity of photographic emulsions just cannot compete.  CCD cameras are excellent at imaging small planetary nebulae, and they can render thousands of obscure galaxies as spectacular, exotic objects.

    Kitt Peak National Observatory        Orion Nebula (Click for large view.)

https://www.jstor.org/stable/40679073

RESPONSE 300 SYSTEM - 1979.  Scitex, an Israel-based company, marketed the Response 300 System which created full-color separations and allowed the operator to change image details or combine images.  The Scitex Response 300 represented the first generally available technology that allowed treatment of a graphic arts page as a data file that could be electronically manipulated as a complete entity.  Prior to that time, electronics and computers had seen use in graphic arts, but only to process data on the fly, without storage and without the ability to edit, change and manipulate complete page images.  The U.S. topographic map at left was created using the Scitex Response 300 System.  Click on image for enlarged view.

http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/99/Scitex-Corporation-Ltd.html

http://www.prepressure.com/prepress/history/events-1970-1979

NIKON EM - 1979.  The EM was intended to compete in the price range of the Canon AE-1 and Olympus OM-10. The above camera in near mint condition with two lenses, a flash and a very nice camera bag was obtained on eBay for $36.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_EM

  ELIJAH EUGENE CAMPBELL - 1979.  In 1979, Elijah Eugene Campbell of New Zealand designed an electronic still camera, but was unable to interest any of the major electronics manufactures.  In 1981, Sony demonstrated the MAVICA still video camera which, in effect, obviated the need for Campbell to continue with his project.

https://www.digitalkameramuseum.de/en/history

https://prezi.com/nz_wji4ih5ky/the-evelution-of-camera/

1970s