National Camera Day is celebrated every year on June 29 as a way to commemorate the history and advancements made towards capturing images. From Kodak’s very first model to the shooters in today's latest smartphones, cameras have played a special role in society that affects everyone.

Continue on for a brief look at how cameras have progressed over the years.

Kodak 1 | 1888

George Eastman is responsible for creating the first-ever, roll film camera. When the Kodak 1 first went on sale, users would send off their rolls of film directly to Kodak for processing at a whopping cost of $10.

Photography: Kodak

Leica 1 Model A | 1925

The Model A was the world’s first mass-produced, 35mm film camera. Later versions of the Leica 1 included pioneering features like rangefinders and interchangeable lenses.

Photography: Wikimedia Commons

Nikon F | 1959

During the early 1960s, the Nikon F was all the rage as it became the go-to shooter for professionals and photojournalists. Nikon’s first SLR (single-lens reflex) camera was the first to return users to the viewfinder without having to wind the film, and the first pro camera with a 100% coverage viewfinder.

Photography: casualphotophile.com

Polaroid SX-70 | 1972

The SX-70 put cameras in the hands of more Americans than any company up until that point. Polaroid’s instant film allowed pictures to be taken and developed on the spot, which added the social component we associate with picture-taking today. After all these years, Polaroid started selling the SX-70 again, which is currently available on their website

Photography: Polaroid

Kodak DCS 100 | 1991

Kodak was responsible for the world’s first digital SLR camera, or DSLR – the type of cameras most professionals use today. Originally, it came with a modified Nikon F body and its own digital storage device that could hold up to 200 megabytes worth of images.

Photography: Flickr

Apple iPhone | 2007

Perhaps the biggest advancement in the history of the camera, smartphone cameras have become the number one picture-taking option for most people on earth. When the Apple iPhone launched in 2007, the speed and ease of use of the camera launched the entire industry forward. Today, we’re treated to smartphone cameras with multi-lens setups, depth sensors and some amazing software capabilities.

Photography: Instagram

Sony SLT Alpha 55 | 2010

DSLR cameras were the most advanced shooting option available until Sony’s SLT (single-lens translucent) Alpha 55 released in 2010. Alpha series cameras were the first to feature a capture system that lets in light and focuses on subjects without the internal mirror moving – a shortcoming of the DSLR system. SLT cameras are great for taking photos but even better at shooting video because of their superior autofocus capabilities.

Photography: Sony