Ever wonder why old photographs depict people staring into the camera with somber, joyless expressions? It's easy to assume our ancestors were simply humorless or that smiling was culturally discouraged, but the reality was simpler and far stranger: early photography demanded subjects to sit perfectly still for excruciatingly long exposures, making smiles nearly impossible to maintain.
In the mid-1800s, photographers instructed subjects to say "prunes" rather than "cheese," because the stretched "oo" sound tightened the mouth into a stiff, expressionless line, ideal for maintaining composure over the lengthy exposure. Portraits became solemn by default, creating the stereotype of a grim, prune-faced past where smiles were seemingly absent from family albums.
Everything changed in the 20th century, thanks to Kodak. Seeking to revolutionize photography, Kodak introduced affordable, easy-to-use cameras with rapid shutter speeds. But to truly capture the public's imagination, they launched a clever marketing campaign encouraging subjects to say "cheese." The elongated "ee" sound naturally pulled mouths into a warm, spontaneous smile, perfectly matching Kodak's aim of capturing joyful, authentic moments.
Today, "Say cheese!" echoes around the globe, prompting laughter and joy in photographs. Kodak's playful slogan reshaped our cultural memory, turning captured moments into celebrations of life's happiest times. Next time someone snaps your photo, remember: you have Kodak to thank for your smile.
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