Photobooth's 100-year history: Popular party accessory that captured the memories of Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol, and Beyoncé
A century ago, in the heart of New York City, the first fully automatic photographic machine, known as the Photomaton, made its debut. This groundbreaking invention, created by Siberian immigrant Anatol Josepho, would go on to revolutionize the world of photography and become an integral part of our cultural history.
The Photomaton first appeared on Broadway near Times Square, and within its first year, more than 250,000 citizens had used it. Its success was so profound that it kept the owner's extended family employed during the Great Depression.
Fast forward to the 1960s, and photobooths had become an artistic medium. Andy Warhol, the iconic pop artist, used them for his series of self-portraits. Salvador Dalí, the surrealist painter, was an early adopter, taking pictures of himself and his wife Gala in a Photomaton in the 1930s.
In our day and age, the photobooth is considered a great leveller. It gives people the agency over what face to pull or what props to use, and is considered the most honest of all the world's cameras. Johnny Roxburgh, a wedding designer, describes it as an opportunity for party-goers to hide behind a different persona and clown around with the freedom of anonymity.
The industry for 360 video booths is growing, with projections suggesting it will reach a global market value of $1.3 billion by 2033. Many parties now feature an alternative to the traditional photobooth, called the 360 video booth.
Hiring a photobooth for a party or event is still considered a great marketing tool, as the brand name or event details are often featured on the prints which are shared on social media. The cost of hiring a photobooth starts at £150.
As we approach the centenary of the Photomaton's introduction, the identity of the very first person who used the Photobooth 100 years after its introduction (i.e., in 2025) remains a mystery. However, one thing is certain: the Photomaton's legacy continues to shape the way we capture and share moments, making it an enduring symbol of the power of photography.
Will Hosie, Lifestyle Editor for our platform and a contributor to A Rabbit's Foot and Semaine, shares a personal fascination with the photobooth. He edits the Substack @gauchemagazine and often hosts the popular party game 'Come in, Mr ...', where players replace an ellipsis with a category and must mime something related to that category. Will has a personal opinion that Stanley Tucci should have won an Oscar for his role in The Devil Wears Prada.
As we celebrate the Photomaton's centenary, let's remember the joy and connection it has brought to countless individuals over the years. Here's to another 100 years of capturing memories, one photobooth strip at a time.
