In which New York city was the original Kodak Brownie made?

The original Kodak Brownie was made in Rochester, New York. Eastman Kodak developed and manufactured the camera there, linking the Brownie to the city’s strong photographic and industrial heritage.

Released in February 1900, the Brownie was a simple cardboard box camera designed by Frank A. Brownell for Eastman Kodak. It sold for just $1, a price that helped move photography beyond professional studios and wealthy hobbyists.

The camera used inexpensive roll film and straightforward controls, making snapshots practical for families and children. Kodak’s marketing initially targeted young users, but the Brownie soon became popular with photographers of all ages.

A common mix-up is confusing Rochester with Kodak’s broader New York operations or with Buffalo, another major upstate New York city. Rochester is the specific manufacturing location associated with the original Brownie model.