Frank A. Brownell, designer and manufacturer of the Brownie camera, was a cabinet-making apprentice who put his wood and metal working skills together and began manufacturing cameras.

George Eastman contracted Brownell to do the woodworking and assembly of Eastman-Walker Roll Film Holders. This relationship expanded and the Brownell Manufacturing Company produced all the Kodak cameras between 1888 and October 1902.

He was bought out by the Eastman Kodak Company in October of 1902 but stayed on in the position of Camera Design Expert until he resigned this position in 1906 and entered the motor manufacturing business.