Why Are Cameras Called Cameras?

If, as Canadian communication theorist Marshall McLuhan suggests, the medium is the message, then a camera is the embodiment of that message.

Exploring the Meaning of Camera

Meanings of words are typically elucidated in a dictionary. However, to understand the historical and cultural significance of the term 'camera' requires a journey through the vast linguistic landscape.

The concept of 'camera' originates from the Arabs. It was discovered that an image is formed if a small aperture allows light to enter a dark room. The term 'camera' finds its origin in the Arabic word 'Kamera,' meaning 'room.' This hints at the early cameras and camera obscuras being large, darkened chambers, hence the name 'camera.'

Interestingly, the English word 'room' is phonetically similar to 'Kamra,' which in Hindi also means 'room.' This similarity underscores the ancient origins of the camera concept in the ancient Middle East.

Phonetic and Historical Cues

Another intriguing bit of photographic trivia is the etymology of the name 'Kodak.' When George Eastman was asked how he chose the name, he replied that it was the sound the camera made when the shutter was tripped. The English word closely resembles the Hindi word 'khataak,' meaning 'to make a scratching sound.'

A more precise etymology reveals that the word 'camera' comes from the Latin word for 'chamber,' which is derived from the same root as 'camera obscura,' meaning 'dark chamber.' A camera obscura was an early optical device consisting of a darkened room with a small aperture, through which an inverted image of the view from that direction would project itself on the opposite wall.

The Origin of 'Camera Obscura'

The concept of 'camera obscura' dates back thousands of years to the time of the polymath Ibn al-Haytham. He named the device 'comra,' meaning 'room,' which aligns with the Arabic root of 'camera.'

Conclusion: The term 'camera' has evolved from the Latin 'camera' (chamber) via Old French. While 'room' in English is phonetically similar, etymologically it is not related to 'camera.' In essence, the camera is more than just a device; it is a cultural artifact that captures and conveys the essence of reality.