What happened to the original Photomaton on Broadway?
Reviewed by Booth Beacon · Verified 2026-08-25
Quick Answer
The first Photomaton studio opened in September 1926 at 1659 Broadway in New York City. It featured multiple booths, operated 24 hours a day, and processed up to 7,500 people daily before expanding nationwide under a syndicate led by Henry Morgenthau.
Full Answer
Located near 51st Street, the 1659 Broadway studio was a cultural milestone where patrons paid 25 cents for a strip of eight portraits delivered in eight minutes. Crowds lined up around the block, including prominent celebrities and politicians, demonstrating the commercial viability of automated public portraiture.
Sources & Provenance
Evidence type: editorial · Confidence: High · Verified 2026-08-25
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