History of camera: Today, cameras have become so popular that there may be hardly any person

without a camera. We all carry cameras in our smartphones that are always ready to take shots
when we want. You are lucky that you are living in a time where we all carry cameras for
photography. Photography, as you know it today, was not cheap and common in the past century.
Because cameras were not available in shape as we know it today. Early cameras took hours to
take a picture, which means you don’t have to move for hours! It may look strange but it is true.
These cameras were only useful for taking pictures of buildings or natural scenes.

Major Inventions in camera:

Pinhole Camera – First Working Camera

History of the camera goes back to the 11 thcentury; a time known as the
golden period of Muslims. During that period, a Muslim Arab scientist
Ibn Al-Haytham – who was an expert in optics – invented the camera
known as the Pinhole camera or camera obscura, made of a wooden box
dark from inside. This box had a small hole at the center of one side.
When light passed through the hole it formed an inverted image inside
the box. This invention was a major breakthrough in understanding how
light works and forms an image (Radical Innovation)
Image Preserving Camera

Camera Obscura was used by artists for tracing the shape of an image
formed inside the box. Because artists were unable to preserve the
image. Nicephore Niece developed a paper that was sensitive to light,
coated with silver chloride. When the light was directed towards the
paper, it turned dark. So, he performed an experiment by placing the
paper inside the camera obscura where the image is formed. When he
allowed the light to enter from the hole, an image started to form
(modular innovation).

Permanent Photograph – A Major Breakthrough

Nicephore Niepce after the development of sensitive paper started to

improve it so that image preserved for a long time. During his
development, he partnered with Mr. Louis Daguerre. They both worked
to somehow preserve image permanently. the work of permanent
photographs was continued & found an effective process for
photography, which he named after himself “Daguerreotype”. The images
formed with this process were long lasting and were not affected by light
(Incremental Innovation).
Hand-held Cameras

Daguerreotype photography revolutionized the field of photography.

The daguerreotype photography could only be taken inside studios
because cameras were huge and took-up whole room. Also, the time
for taking the photographs was still long. The solution came after the
invention of dry plates; a glass plate coated with dried gelatin
emulsion. Dry plates reduced the time of image formation and the
size of the camera. As a result, photographers were no longer limited
to studios (modular innovation).
Cameras with Flexible Roll Films

The development of handheld cameras due to dry plates allowed

photographers to take photographs anywhere. But, dry plates were
thick and heavy, so it was still difficult for common people to buy a
camera and take photographs. The issue was solved by Mr. George
Eastman. He developed flexible roll film for making negatives of the
images in his camera named as “Kodak”. The flexible roll films made
the camera very compact and easy to carry (modular innovation).

Digital Cameras The development of the camera further progressed

and another revolutionary invention came to the digital camera. The
digital cameras emerged when digital technology has sufficiently
progressed. Camera – Modern Cameras.The first true digital camera
was made in 1988 and was called Fuji DS-1P. It had 2 MB SRAM for
storing a digital image until the image was transferred to a computer.
Despite being a successful digital camera, this model never went
commercially (Architectural Innovation).

INTRODUCTION TO NIKON:

Nikon is one of the world's leading suppliers of products and solutions based on advanced opto-
electronics and precision technologies. Some of their products and technologies are unique. For
example, Nikon equipment plays a vital role in the manufacture of ever-larger flat-panel
displays. Their aim is to fulfil needs and enrich society through innovation. Nikon has been
driving technology forward for over a century, winning the trust of customers by responding to
the changing needs of the times.

More than 90 group companies have been established in the Americas, Europe, Asia and
beyond. Our people are equally diverse, working to make a difference in countries around the
world Nikon’s overseas markets account for over 80% of total sales. Globally, we offer an
extraordinary range of products, from industrial equipment for the manufacture of high-
definition screens used in smart devices to the Nikon cameras beloved by generations of
photographers.Nikon cameras were used to record the historic mission of the Apollo 15 in 1971.
Nikon has supported countless other space exploration missions and satellites. For years, we've
focused on space. In the future, we'll continue helping scientists unlock the mysteries of the
cosmos.

Philosophy “Trustworthiness and Creativity”

Vision “Unlock the future with the power of light”. Hence, this is the essence of Nikon.

HISTORY OF INNOVATION:

As Japan experienced postwar restoration and growth at miraculous speed, many of its products
were disseminated to the rest of the world. Nikon's optical equipment performance was highly
evaluated, and played an important role in creating world recognition for the new, superior
quality of "Made in Japan".

1921 first mikron 4x & 6X ultra small Prism binoculars marketed by Nikon.

1933 Nikkor lens designed for aerial photography, used for map making.

1946 Nikon brand name is adopted for small-sized cameras. Pointal ophthalmic lens is marketed.
Compact camera developed to meet the strong demand for domestically produced
cameras.

1947 Tilting Level E and Transit G surveying instruments are marketed. These
surveying instruments were Nikon's first products after World War II (Radical
Innovation).

1948 Nikon Model I small-sized camera is marketed. This camera contained original
inventions such as small radial ball bearings used for the shutter release (modular
Innovation).

1957 Nikon SP rangefinder camera is marketed35mm rangefinder camera. The most

important feature of this camera, a built in universal viewfinder that supports six
interchangeable lenses was highly acclaimed by professional photographers, having
quiet curtain shutters, accelerator and silent braking absorb to shock (modular
Innovation).
1959 SLR camera, the Nikon F is marketed Nikon's first lens-
interchangeable SLR camera. It incorporated a number of world-
first features, such as an exposure meter fully coupled with
aperture and the practical application of a motor drive. It
established a strong presence as a high-end SLR camera (Modular Innovation).

1962 Ultra Micro-NIKKOR high-resolution optical lenses are marketed. Developed for
the production of photo masks required for photolithography. The lens had the highest
resolution of any lens at the time. (Modular Innovation)

1963 NIKONOS all-weather camera is marketed Designed to be

water-/pressure-/corrosion-resistant, and positioned as an amphibious "All Weather"
camera. (Architectural Innovation).

1971 Nikon Photomic FTN is mounted on Apollo 15.Based on "Nikon Photomic

FTN," modifications were made to specifications and materials, such as lubricatingoil,
based on special requests from NASA.

Nikon F2 is marketed aimed for easier operation, faster shooting and more automation
The camera featured improved functionality and refined details such as a reliable
1/2000 second shutter utilizing a self-timer mechanism, a large-size mirror, hinged
rear-lid and a more convenient shutter button position. (Incremental Innovation).

1976 Biophot and Metaphot microscopes are marketed. The world's first successful
commercialization of a microscope objective lens for the CF system. The system was
referred to as "the first innovation in 100 years." The photo shows a Biophot microscope.

1980 Nikon F3 SLR camera is marketed. The Nikon F3 was introduced as the
preeminent SLR camera with electronically controlled aperture-priority AE. Italian
designer Giorgetto Giugiaro's design had a great impact on later cameras.
(Incremental Innovation).

1982 OPTISTATION IC wafer inspection system is marketed. Used for visual

inspection in the etch and lithography process of semiconductor manufacturing. It
contributed to the stabilization of the production line and improved yields.
(Architectural innovation).

1983 Nikon L35AF autofocus first compact camera is marketed. The Nikon F3AF rose
to the challenge of developing an AF mechanism (Incremental Innovation).
1984 NT-1000 35mm film direct telephoto transmitter is marketed The world's first 35mm
film direct transmitter. It was co-developed with Kyodo News NSR-1010i3 Step-and-
Repeat System (stepper) is marketed. (modular Innovation).

1992 Nikonos RS underwater AF SLR camera is marketed. The Nikonos RS enabled

autofocus shooting underwater (modular Innovation).

1995 NEXIV series CNC video measuring system is marketed. Non-contact high-
precision measurement was made possible by image-processing technology. The
confocal-type microscope enabled measurement of a two-dimensional field and height
in the same field of view. (Architectural innovation).

1997 COOLPIX 100 and 300 digital cameras are marketed. Nikon's first compact digital
camera. The COOLPIX 100 shown here could be inserted into a PC card slot to transfer
data directly to the computer. Pen-touch operation was possible with the COOLPIX 300

Nikon has walked alongside everyday life and human challenges while innovating a wide
spectrum of optical equipment throughout the years.With effective solutions generated
from technologies and ideas, we will continue to advance over the next 100 years.
(Architectural innovation).

1999 D1 digital SLR camera is marketed. SLR-type digital camera with interchangeable lens that
combines high-speed performance and overall picture quality. Priced with general users in mind,
it contributed to the popularity of digital SLR cameras. (modular innovation).

2004 Nikon F6 SLR camera is marketed. Introduced as the preeminent film SLR camera, it
combined Nikon F series tradition with advanced features

2010 D3S and D3X digital SLR cameras, and NIKKOR lenses are used in the International
Space Station (ISS) N-SIM and N-STORM MORE HN-6060 non-contact multi-sensor
3D metrology system is marketed. An object's shape and waviness can be measured in a
single operation, a difficult achievement for conventional measuring instruments
(Architectural innovation).

2011 Nikon 1 J1 and V1 advanced cameras with interchangeable lenses are marketed.
Nikon's first advanced cameras with interchangeable lenses. Video and still images are of
equally high quality. The photo shows the Nikon 1 J1. (modular innovation).
2012 D4 digital SLR camera is marketed. The flagship model of Nikon digital SLR
cameras, it achieves high sensitivity and high image quality as well as excellent high-
speed performance. Reflecting the real needs of photographers in the field, operability and
reliability have been pushed to the limits. (Incremental innovation).

2015 Compact Digital Camera COOLPIX P900 is marketed. The COOLPIX P900
provides an 83x optical zoom lens offering coverage from 24mm wide-angle to
2000mm telephoto (35mm equivalent). The fast maximum aperture lens, equipped with
Super ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lens element offering superior compensation for
chromatic

delivers superior results with vivid images, even when zoomed to extreme levels.

2016 FX-68S FPD Lithography System is marketed. Gen 6 Plate FPD Lithography
System that has achieved to deliver a high resolution of 1.5 micrometers.

D5 digital SLR camera is marketed. The flagship model with innovative features such as
the refined acquisition of subjects in motion and an expanded sensitivity range, that is
responsive to a wide variety of scenes and subjects.

Achieved a total production of 100 million NIKKOR lenses for interchangeable lens cameras.
Nikon's first action cameras KeyMission 360, KeyMission 170, and KeyMission 80 are
announced.

KeyMission 360, KeyMission 170,.

KeyMission 80 Nikon's first action camera KeyMission Series featuring water- and impact-
resistance to withstand harsh environments and Nikon's world-class optical and image-
processing technologies to satisfy the high expectations of adventurers who challenge the
limits.

2017 Nikon celebrates its 100th anniversary. D850 digital SLR camera is marketed. The
D850 has an effective pixel count of 45.7 megapixels, and continuous shooting speeds of
up to approximately 9 fps. It supports full-frame 4K UHD (3840x2160) movie recording
to expand possibilities for imaging expressions. (incremental innovation)
 2018 FPD Lithography Systems FX-103SH and FX-103S are marketed. Support the Gen 10.5
plate size. The FX-103SH and FX-103S are FPD lithography systems optimized for the mass
production of 4K and 8K TVs, LCD panels for high-definition tablets and organic light emitting
diode (OLED) panels (architectural innovation).

The newly developed Z mount system is adopted. With 45.7 effective megapixels, this high-
pixel-count model can fully exploit the real value of NIKKOR Z lenses.