Camera Film

Hello. I am Camera Film. I am a long, shiny ribbon that loves to hold your memories. I catch pictures of sunny days and happy smiles, like a little bit of magic. I love to hold onto all the fun things you do so you can see them again later.

My creator was a kind man named George Eastman. He wanted everyone to be able to take pictures, not just grown-ups who knew a lot about big, tricky cameras. On September 4th, 1888, he tucked me into a cozy, dark box. This box was a special camera called a Kodak. I would wait inside, all curled up, until I heard a happy ‘click.’. Then, with a little flash of light, I would catch a picture. It was my very special job, and I was so excited to do it.

After I catch a picture, it's my little secret. You can't see it on me yet because I look all dark and sleepy. To show you the secret, I get to take a special bath. It's not a bubbly bath, but a magic bath in a dark room. Swish, swoosh. The water helps the hidden pictures wake up. Suddenly, a picture of a wiggly puppy or a fun birthday party appears on paper. It's a wonderful surprise every time.

I helped families keep all their favorite pictures safe. They would put the pictures I made in a big book called a photo album. They could look at pictures of sunny days at the park and visits with grandma whenever they wanted. Even though you use phones to take pictures now, I am like the great-grandma of those pictures. I am so proud that I helped everyone learn how to save their smiles and happy memories forever and ever. Keeping happy times safe is the best job in the world.