We're obsessed with digital cameras. We view photos digitally before they're ever printed. Memories are no longer stored in photo albums, but instead we share them virtually through online social networking sites like Facebook and Flickr. But before digital cameras, Nikon's automatic film advancement camera changed the face of photography. While that clunky camera may not see the light of day today, the invention initially meant the space crew could record images of space in a weightless environment.
Nikons were first used in Apollo missions 15 to 17 in the 1970s [source: Nikon]. Astronauts could quickly advance to the next picture and tell a story through photos. This space-friendly camera came with special criteria. Its easy operation meant the crew could manage it while wearing gloves. It was also free of any environmental gases or toxins, which was critical in an air-tight environment.
The camera also had a built-in light leaver that adjusted automatically, making for clear images from space. Today, Nikon's partnership with NASA continues to generate stunning images from outer space.
NASA takes the nuisance out of the smoke detector, on the next page.