A Peek into the Interesting History of Photo Booths
Although the technology behind photo booths hasn't changed much over the years, its history dates back much further than most would assume. The photo booth has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade, evolving from a piece of bulky equipment that took technicians hours to develop the photos into a digital booth that produces high-quality shots in a matter of seconds.
In such case, who exactly invented photo booths, and when did they debut? We're going to learn everything there is to know about photo booths, from their early days as coin-operated booths to their meteoric rise to cultural prominence.
When Was It Invented?
Nearly a century after the first image was taken, in 1925, a Siberian immigrant named Anatol Josepho constructed the first completely functional photo booth. Near Times Square, Josepho unveiled the "Photomaton" on Broadway and encouraged a captivated audience to try it out. In just ten minutes, the photo booth captured eight pictures, printed them out, and developed them for a mere quarter. Reports suggest that in the first six months after the Photomaton opened, it attracted an astounding 280,000 customers, or about 1,500 each day.
In 1889, a precursor to the current photo booth was built and showcased at the Paris World's Fair. The machine was unreliable, difficult to operate, and produced only ferrotypes (photographs printed on a thin metal sheet).
When Josepho sold the rights to an investment group, he received $1 million (about $14 million today) for his innovation, which they promptly disseminated all over the world.
Then, suddenly, photo booths became all the rage in countries like Canada and Europe. Given that the vast majority of people did not own or have access to cameras during that time, a photo booth offered a low-cost alternative for recording joyful occasions. Taking pictures in a photo booth was also the only option for anyone needing passport images, as the dimensions required by the government were identical to those a photo booth could provide.
The Soaring Success of the Photo Booth
During World War II, the popularity of photo booths soared as people sent photos of their loved ones serving overseas. The film The Band Wagon, in which Fred Astaire danced out of a photo booth, is credited with popularizing the trend in the movies and on television. However, Andy Warhol's experimentation with a pair of photo strips cemented the photo booth's place in pop cultural history.
Over the subsequent decades, picture booths proliferated in public places like malls, conventions, and movie theaters, providing a never-ending stream of amusement for restless youth.
The Photo Booth Today
Undoubtedly, the photo booth mania that hit Asian countries in the '90s is a defining period in the history of the photo booth. Sticker photo booths are digital photo booths that are popular in malls and arcades. They allow customers to take pictures while playing with various stickers over custom backdrops. The picture booth was so well-liked that it spawned a subculture known as Purikura, which translates to "print club."
By the late twenty-first century, photo booths had become increasingly mobile, making them a welcome addition to parties, weddings, and other special occasions. Photo booths have been increasingly popular in recent years as technology has allowed for additional personalization choices, such as stickers and unique backdrops.
Since their infancy, photo booths have evolved greatly, but their core mission has remained the same: to unite people in a positive, fun way.
Conclusion
Indeed, the photo booth has had a long and fascinating history. It has changed considerably over the years, but it has retained its basic purpose – to capture memories and moments in a creative and whimsical manner.
They became increasingly popular in the early 1900s and were often used for public events such as fairs and carnivals. Photo booths began to decline in popularity in the mid-20th century, but they experienced a resurgence in the late 1990s. Today, photo booths are once again a popular choice for parties and other special events.
That said, with the dawn of technology, more and more people will experience the wonders of photo booths, smartphone-assisted or otherwise.
If you are looking for a company that provides photo booth rentals in Philadelphia, look no further than our services here at Foto Fete Philadelphia. If you are looking for a professional resource for your next photo booth rental, look no further. Our booths will bring joy to your guests and take excellent photos all night long. Call us today to book a photo booth for your upcoming event.