Which era saw the most significant advancement in making cameras widely accessible?

The early 1900s were pivotal for the advancement of photography, particularly in making cameras more widely accessible to the general public. During this era, innovations such as the introduction of the Kodak camera by George Eastman revolutionized photography. The Kodak camera was marketed with the slogan "You press the button, we do the rest," which simplified the photographic process and made it user-friendly for those who were not professional photographers.

This accessibility was further enhanced by the development of film rolls that allowed for multiple exposures, eliminating the cumbersome glass plates previously required. These advancements significantly reduced the cost and complexity of photography, thus encouraging more people to engage in the practice.

In contrast, while the late 1800s did see the invention of the first portable cameras, they were not yet mass-produced or affordable for everyday use. The mid-20th century and late 20th century continued to see innovations in camera technology, but it was the early 1900s that laid the foundation for widespread accessibility and popularization of photography as a hobby among the public.