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The first ever digital camera, built in 1975 by Eastman Kodak engineer Steve Sasson. It weighed 8 pounds (~3.6kg) and recorded 100x100 pixel photos to a cassette tape.
(static01.nyt.com)
More info:
- An image from the original digital camera on the prototype digital playback system, accodirg to NYTimes.
- Stephen Sasson of Eastman Kodak Invents the Digital Camera : History of Information
- Wikipedia: Steven Sasson - First self-contained digital camera
- Kodak’s First Digital Moment (Lens blog - NYTimes - WebArchive)
It's a bit like discovering electric lighting and brushing it under the carpet, since your candle factory is blooming, while thinking/hoping that no one else will ever see a future for electric lights.
It must be one of the biggest faux pas in corporate history.