History of the Digital Camera – The Digital Revolution
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Digital cameras are very popular these days and have revolutionized the camera industry, but most people have no idea about the technological advancements that eventually led to the creation of the digital camera. Some experts suggest that digital camera technology is related to the type of technology that has been utilized in recording television programs.
Back in 1951 live images were captured for the enjoyment of television audiences by the use of the first video tape recorder. It was designed to take live images from television cameras and convert the images into digital form and store the digital information on magnetic tape. Digital cameras share the charged Coupled Device Technology (CCD) with television and video cameras. CCD technology is utilized to sense light color and intensity.
NASA and Digital Images
A major advancement in the history of the digital camera occurred during the 1960’s when NASA replaced analog with digital signals for the purpose of gathering information from their space probes. This information from space allowed the people at NASA to produce a map of the moon’s surface. The United States government also contributed to the advancement of digital imagery due to their spy satellite program.
Corporations and Digital Images
Concerning the role corporations played in the history of the digital camera, Texas Instruments played a part in the ongoing advancement of digital imagery by patenting an electronic camera (did not require film) in 1972. Sony followed up by creating the first commercially available electronic camera in 1981 named the Mavica. The technology involved recording the desired images onto a very small disc and then placed into what was known as a video reader which was linked to a printer or a television monitor. When reviewing the history of the digital camera, experts suggest that the Mavica was not actually the first digital camera since it was actually a video camera that captured freeze-frames.
An important event in the history of the digital camera occurred during the 1970’s when Kodak utilized solid state image sensors that allowed light to be converted to digital images and this technology was available for professionals as well as for amateurs. The first megapixels camera was created by Kodak in 1986. Kodak further advanced the digital camera in 1987 by providing items for the market place that were deigned for recording, sorting, manipulating, transmitting as well as printing electronic still images.
A significant event in the history of the digital camera occurred in 1991 with the availability of the first digital camera model, provided by Kodak, which was designed for professional photo-journalists. The camera was actually a Nikon F-3 digital camera containing Kodak’s 1.3 megapixels sensor. Apple computers developed the first digital cameras designed for consumers in 1994. The technology utilized a computer by way of a serial cable. During 1995 and 1996 Kodak, Casio and Sony introduced Digital still cameras to the market place.
The Olympus Delta, in 1994 was the first digital camera available with built-in transmission capability. The Ricoh RDC-1 is considered to be the first digital camera on the market that provided the capturing of still and moving images as well as sound recording and reproduction capabilities. The next time you and your friends have some fun and take a few images with a digital camera you might want to take advantage of the opportunity and impress your friends with your knowledge of the history of the digital camera.
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