Long before smartphones made instant photography an everyday convenience, Kodak enlisted one of magic's biggest rising stars to help introduce its latest innovation. In 1982, David Copperfield appeared in a television commercial for the company's new Kodamatic instant cameras, bringing his signature style of magic to the world of photography.
More than four decades later, this vintage commercial offers a fascinating glimpse into Copperfield's early career and a time when watching a photograph develop before your eyes still felt like magic.
When Kodak Met David Copperfield
By 1982, David Copperfield was already making a name for himself through his television specials and increasingly ambitious illusions. His combination of theatrical presentation, charm and seemingly impossible magic made him a natural choice to promote a product designed to amaze consumers.
Kodak's advertising campaign centered on the slogan "Capture all the magic in an instant."
According to Kodak's own company publication, Kodak Highlights, the campaign featuring Copperfield was the company's largest advertising effort to date in support of its instant photography products.
The partnership made perfect sense. After all, what better way to demonstrate the wonder of instant photography than with a magician?
A Little Piece of Magic History
The commercial promoted Kodak's Kodamatic instant cameras, part of a new lineup introduced in 1982.
At the time, instant photography was a competitive market, with Kodak attempting to challenge Polaroid's established position. The company's new cameras offered consumers the opportunity to take photographs and see the results without sending their film away for processing.
Kodak introduced several Kodamatic models during this period, including the 960, 970 and 980.
Copperfield's involvement gave the campaign a recognizable face while connecting the excitement of magic with the excitement of new technology.
More Than Just a Television Commercial
What's particularly interesting about this campaign is that Copperfield's involvement extended beyond television.
Kodak also produced print advertisements and promotional displays featuring the magician.
In fact, a large 1982 Kodamatic promotional display featuring Copperfield appeared in a 2025 Potter & Potter auction catalog of items from the Amazing Kreskin collection. The catalog noted that Kodak had used the display during Copperfield's personal appearances representing the company.
For collectors of magic memorabilia, these advertisements and promotional materials represent an interesting chapter in Copperfield's career.
They also offer a reminder of how closely magic and popular culture have been connected over the years.
A Look Back at the Magic of the 1980s
There's something particularly enjoyable about revisiting vintage magic commercials.
The hairstyles, clothing, advertising styles and technology immediately transport viewers back to another era.
For magicians, these advertisements are also a fascinating reminder that some of the biggest names in our industry have brought their talents to television commercials, product endorsements and advertising campaigns.
Today, David Copperfield is internationally recognized for his enormous stage productions and groundbreaking television illusions. Seeing him in this early commercial offers a different perspective on his career.
And while the technology behind instant photography has changed dramatically since 1982, the idea of capturing a magical moment remains just as appealing.
Whether you remember watching this commercial when it originally aired or you're discovering it for the first time, it's a fun piece of magic history worth revisiting.
Do you remember David Copperfield's Kodak commercials? Or did you own one of the original Kodamatic instant cameras?
Stay tuned to Magic News Daily for more vintage magic videos, magician history and stories from the world of illusion.
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