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A Look at Photos From Kodak’s Glory Days (Photos)

A look at photos from Kodak’s glory days.

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APIC / Getty Images

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In 1900, Eastman Kodak introduced the Brownie, the first mass-market camera that allowed anyone to take a picture. Since then, the company has been on the cutting edge of photography. It supplied the film used on the Apollo 11 missions and was even the first to put together a working digital camera. Ultimately, Kodak couldn’t keep up in the digital marketplace. In 2009, the company stopped selling its Kodachrome color film and, by 2010, it had fallen to seventh place in terms of digital cameras sold. Now, the 130-year-old company is filing for bankruptcy and may shutter its doors for good. Here’s a look at some of the highlights from the storied company’s past.

APIC / Getty Images

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In 1893, Kodak created "Kodak Girls." These pretty young women were featured in their advertisements.

Library of Congress

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An 1888 ad suggests a Kodak camera as a wedding present.

MPI / Getty Images

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A Kodak camera at the White House Easter Egg Roll in 1889.

Library of Congress

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An Eastman Kodak Company building, photographed in 1890, in what remains the company town, Rochester, N.Y.

George Eastman House

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A young girl photographing her doll with her Kodak, circa 1917.

Library of Congress

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"Take a Kodak With You" is the slogan for the portable Kodak roll film folding camera, 1913.

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Pioneering female photographer and onetime Kodak employee Frances "Fannie" Benjamin Johnston, showing off her Kodak to a group of young girls, circa 1900.

Library of Congress

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To celebrate the company's 50th anniversary, Kodak gave away a half-million cameras to American children in 1929.

Henry Miller News Picture Service / FPG / Getty Images

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Kodak founder George Eastman shows Thomas Edison his new color camera in the yard at the Eastman House, Rochester, N.Y., 1929.

George Eastman House / Getty Images

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A 1950s advertisement for Kodak film and cameras.

APIC / Getty Images

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A 1963 advertisement for the Kodak Instamatic.

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Kodak introduced its Disc Camera and film in 1982. The camera had an aspheric lens that was patented by Kodak, and featured a low-light sensor to automatically activate the flash.

SSPL / Getty Images

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The Kodak slide projector made looking at family photos a group activity.

Courtesy of George Eastman House

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The signature yellow box was once a staple in photographers' bags. But with the success of digital cameras, it became a novelty item.

Courtesy of George Eastman House

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