Infrared photography has been around since the early 1900's and became popular in the 1930's when infrared films became commercially available. By 1937, 33 kinds of infrared film were available from five manufacturers.

Soon Kodak introduced Ektachrome Infrared Aero Film and Ektachrome Infrared EIR reversal films and false-color infrared photography became widely practiced. Kodak's Kodacolor Aero-Reversal-Film, was used for camouflage detection in the 1940's.

The film became more widely available in 35mm form in the 1960's and became popular with a number of 1960's recording artists, because of the unusual results.

With the advent of digital infrared photography, the technique is gaining popularity and is being sold as fine art photographs in a variety of galleries worldwide.