Kodachrome

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Kodachrome

photography

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June 30, 2026

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Kodachrome was a pioneering color film introduced in 1935 by Leopold Godowsky, Jr. and Leopold Mannes, working with the Eastman Kodak Company. It was the first commercially successful color film, renowned for its vivid color reproduction and archival durability.12

Before Kodachrome, the Autochrome process, introduced in 1907, was the first practical color photography method, but it produced transparencies viewed by reflected light. Kodachrome, a reversal (slide) film, allowed for color transparencies suitable for projection and reproduction, marking a significant advancement in color photography. It became widely used by professionals and amateurs, capturing much of 20th-century American life and even inspiring popular music.12

The demand for Kodachrome declined with the rise of digital photography, and Kodak discontinued the film in 2010.2

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12 Key Dates in the History of Photography
1935: Kodachrome film invented
…era of color photography was Kodachrome film, invented in 1935 by Leopold Godowsky, Jr., and Leopold Mannes, two American musicians working with Kodak Research Laboratories. In the Kodachrome process, color was achieved not with dyes during exposure but with chemicals during developing, and the technique produced color transparencies that were…
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…era of color photography was Kodachrome film, invented in 1935 by Leopold Godowsky, Jr., and Leopold Mannes, two American musicians working with Kodak Research Laboratories. In the Kodachrome process, color was achieved not with dyes during exposure but with chemicals during developing, and the technique produced color transparencies that were…
Read More

history of photography
Color photography
…photography with their invention of Kodachrome film. With this reversal (slide) film, color transparencies could be obtained that were suitable both for projection and for reproduction. A year later the Agfa Company of Germany developed the Agfacolor negative-positive process, but owing to World War II the film did not become…
Read More
…photography with their invention of Kodachrome film. With this reversal (slide) film, color transparencies could be obtained that were suitable both for projection and for reproduction. A year later the Agfa Company of Germany developed the Agfacolor negative-positive process, but owing to World War II the film did not become…
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Leopold Godowsky, Jr.
…known as a codeveloper of Kodachrome film (1935).
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…known as a codeveloper of Kodachrome film (1935).
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Leopold Mannes
…known as a co-developer of Kodachrome film (1935).
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…known as a co-developer of Kodachrome film (1935).
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