What technology simplified photography for the general public when it was first introduced?

The introduction of box cameras, particularly the Kodak model, revolutionized photography for the general public by making it more accessible and user-friendly. Prior to the release of these cameras, photography often required specialized skills, complex equipment, and darkroom processing, which were barriers for most people. The Kodak box camera simplified this process with its straightforward design: it was easy to operate, required no prior photography knowledge, and eliminated the need for manual film development by allowing users to send the film back to Kodak for processing. This democratization of photography encouraged everyday people to capture their memories, further embedding photography in popular culture.

On the other hand, digital cameras, while integral to modern photography, emerged later and do not represent the initial simplification that box cameras achieved. Selfies are a modern trend that rely on technology developed from earlier formats but don't specifically refer to a simplification in the way that box cameras did. Film SLRs provided advanced features for dedicated photographers but required more technical knowledge and experience compared to the simplicity of box cameras, and thus were not as accessible to the general public at the time they were introduced.