Mass Production of Memory: Travel and Personal Archiving in the Age of the Kodak

In 1888, the Eastman Dry Plate and Film Company introduced the first portable camera, enabling convenient photo-taking and contributing to the popularity of photography. The Kodak Company and early tourist photographers set standards for personal archiving, amplifying the individual's role in shaping the national narrative. However, not everyone had equal access to travel and tourism, and the camera was used by marginalized communities to counter discrimination and create visual archives of their experiences. This history highlights the camera's role in the mass production of memory and its significance in shaping the visual culture of the digital age.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 30 January 2021
Publisher: University of Massachusetts Press

In 1888, the Eastman Dry Plate and Film Company revolutionized photography with the introduction of the first portable camera, allowing users to capture moments effortlessly during leisure travel. This innovative device was marketed primarily as a means of capturing and preserving memories, capitalizing on the growing trend of Americans enjoying leisure time and exploring new destinations. The combination of portability, user-friendly design, and widespread advertising campaigns fueled a nationwide fascination with photography, particularly among the expanding middle class.

The Kodak Company, along with the pioneering work of the first generation of tourist photographers, played a significant role in shaping the standards for personal archiving. The camera became a tool for individuals to document their experiences, perspectives, and cultural identities, contributing to the creation of a collective national narrative. However, it was not an equal opportunity for everyone, as marginalized communities, including African Americans, Native Americans, and members of the LGBTQ+ community, used the camera to challenge the racism, homophobia, and classism that shaped public spaces.

Tammy S. Gordon's groundbreaking book explores the evolving centrality of the camera in leisure travel during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It delves into how users crafted a visual archive that reflected their experiences, values, and circumstances, laying the foundation for the customizable visual culture of the digital age. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Gordon sheds light on the ways in which the camera transformed the way we perceive and remember travel, shaping our understanding of identity, memory, and the role of visual media in shaping society.

Weight: 278g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781625345325