Photo booths have been a staple of amusement for decades, but their surprising origins are often overlooked.
In the late 19th century, a photochemistry professor named Anatol Josepho created the 'Automatic Photographic Machine' to capture people's images and sell them as souvenirs. Initially, these machines were not popular with customers; however, after some clever marketing by Josepho – including offering free time in his booth – they eventually caught on.

The concept quickly spread around the world, with similar machines popping up in various countries. For instance, in 1925 Japan unveiled its first photo booth called 'Kisurin', which was an instant hit among Japanese citizens.

By the 1960s, photo booths had become incredibly popular and commonplace across many countries in Europe and North America. They were used primarily for fun or for passport photos; however, they also developed a more serious purpose during this era when activists used them to document civil rights protests and other important events of the time.

Today, photo booths are no longer just simple machines that print pictures; they have evolved into interactive experiences that can be customized with props and special effects to create unique memories for users. Although it may seem like they've always been around, it's interesting to look back at their unusual beginnings!