Who invented the selfie stick?

The smartphone is now the number one device for almost everyone people to take a quick photographs of themselves or a group. Normally one person in the group would have to hold the camera to a photo but quite recently this has change with the selfie stick!

Group selfie photo

With the selfie stick, an indivdual won't have to be excluded from a group photo or use the timer feature on a camera. The selfie stick can be extended to add distance from the camera and the people getting their photo taking. A button is also included with the stick that can be connected with a smartphone using bluetooth, the user can use to take as much photos as they want with a press of the button.

The gadget can be bought easily and cheaply from online store such as ebay and amazon.

Current selfie sticks

But who is responsible for inventing the selfie stick? An American claimed he was responible for coming up with the idea for a attachable camera stick in 2002 but it was actually much earlier the selfie stick was first invented in Japan.

In 1983, a Japanese camera company called Minolta released the Minolta Disc - 7 camera that was years ahead of its time. The inventor, Hiroshi Ueda said the idea behind the gadget was " I didn't need to rely on anyone else to take a photo - I could take a picture of myself whenever and wherever I liked," says Ueda.

Minolta Disc - 7 (Original selfie stick)

Minolta Disc - 7 Manual

When the original selfie stick, the Minolta Disc - 7 was released in 1983. It was not a commercial success and did not sell as well as expected. It was disappointment for Ueda who still keeps his invention with him at all times as pocket camera, "I use it all the time. Even 30 years ago, when the product stopped selling, I always, always carried a pocket camera and extender stick with me."