Photomaton

Photomaton was founded in Paris in 1928 by Enrique Alberto Gonzalez, inspired by the American Photomaton concept patented by Anatol Josepho in 1925. The company quickly became the dominant photo booth operator in France and expanded across Europe throughout the 1930s.

The brand became so ubiquitous in France that "photomaton" entered common usage as a generic term for photo booths, similar to how "Kleenex" became synonymous with facial tissue. This linguistic adoption demonstrates the company's cultural penetration.

During World War II, Photomaton machines were used to produce identity photos for resistance fighters and refugees. Post-war, the company experienced massive growth, placing machines in every major French train station (SNCF partnership) and post office.

In the 1960s-1980s, Photomaton pioneered color photo processing in booths and introduced biometric photo capabilities. The company was acquired by the Parisot Group in 2011, which modernized operations while maintaining analog options.

Today, Photomaton operates over 12,000 machines across Europe, processing millions of photo strips annually. While most machines are now digital, select locations maintain analog chemical processing for photography enthusiasts.