1941-1945: Victor Hasselblad AB is commissioned to produce 342 large format reconnaissance cameras for the Royal Swedish Air Force.

1948: The 1600F single lens reflex camera with focal plane shutter, interchangeable lenses and film magazines was introduced. Manufacturing started in 1949 with a first series of apporximately 270 cameras bearing serial numbers from 0001 to 0308 engraved on the camera body. A second series of approximately 3000 cameras with serial numbers CS1050 to CP13823 was produced up to 1952. The cameras were equipped with 80mm f2.8 Kodak Ektar lenses. Some 254mm f5.6 and 135mm f3.5 Kodak Ektars and a few 55mm f6.3 accessory lenses were also available.

1952: The 1600F was superseded by the 1000F with serial #13821 - 24216. The camera was identical in design but with a top shutter speed of 1/1000 second as opposed to the 1/1600 second which gave the first camera its model number.

1954: Photokina in Cologne was used to introduce the Hasselblad SuperWide with a fixed 38mm f4.5 Zeiss Biogon lens mounted in a Compur shutter. The first 100 cameras, starting with #1001, actually were called "SupremeWide Angle". The remaining cameras up to #2999 were engraved "SuperWide". The next change in designation camer in 1959 when the name changed to SWC with serial #3000 - 15417 and 141000 - 142111.

1955: The 80mm f2.8 Zeiss Tessar became the standard lens in 1955 with a 135mm f3.5 and 250mm f4 Zeiss Sonnar available as accessory lenses.

1957: The 500C camera, with serial numbers from 30000 - 106700, was introduced with four lenses: the 60mm, 80mm, 150mm, and 250mm. Electronic flash had become a major light source in photography, so the shutter was moved from the camera to the lens to allow the photographer to use the flash at all shutter speeds--something a focal plane shutter could not do. Compur shutters allowed flash synchronization at all shutter speeds.

1959: Introduction was made of the 500mm Tele-Tessar, the world's first extreme telephoto with synchronized shutter, automatic diaphragm, and automatic shutter cocking when the film is advanced. The Hasselblad SuperWide was also updated and renamed the Super Wide C. The 16 magazine was also premiered thereby making Hasselblad one of the orginal 4.5 x 6 cameras.

1962: NASA chose a modified 500C as its still picture space camera. Walter M. Schirra Jr. took the camera with him aboard the Sigma 7 Mercury flight October 3, 1962 to make six orbits around the earth. Hasselblad cameras have been used on every U.S. manned space flight since then.

1963: Additions were made to the lens line with the 50mm f4 Distagon and the 120mm f5.6 S-Plannar.

1964: An underwater housing was introduced for the 500C and SuperWide C cameras.

1965: The motor driven 500EL appeared with serial #8000 - 015074. The 500EL design formed with basis for the NASA data camera. Hasselblad also started the publication of the Hasselblad magazine, Forum, in five languages.

1966: The 40mm f4 Distagon and 70mm film magazine were introduced.

1968: Three more lenses were added--the 100mm f3.5 Planar, 105mm f4.3 UV Sonnar, and 135mm f5.6 Planar.

1969: On July 20, the 500EL-styled NASA data camera became the first camera to photograph the surface of the moon.

1970: The 500C and EL models were modified to include interchangeable ground glass screens. The new models were designated the 500CM, starting with #106701, and 500ELM, starting with #15075. To improve viewing, focusing and light measuring under all subject and lighting conditions, the prism finder with exposure meter was introduced.

1971: A special Hasselblad, the MK70, was introduced. The MK70 has the design of the data camera for NASA with Reseau Plate and magazine 70. Its application is in the field of photogrammetry.

1972: Black trimmed 35mm cameras had become favored by some photographers, so black versions of the 500CM and ELM models were added. Also added were the 30mm f3.5 Distagon, the 250mm f5.6 Sonnar Superachromat, and 350mm f5.6 Tele-Tessar.

1973: NASA started work on the Skylab project, and the Hasselblad 500EL/70 camera and Hasselblad data camera with a Reseau plate were included. Also, in order to match lenses to either chrome trimmed or black camera bodies, all 13 lenses in the Hasselblad system became available in a black version.

1974: Victor Hasselblad AB celebrated the 25th anniversary of the original camera by releasing a special commemorative edition of one black trim and 1,499 chrome trim 500CM cameras, with a silver plate bearing the engraved signature of Dr. Victor Hasselblad.

1975: The 60mm f3.5, Polaroid 80 Magazine and the Underwater Housing for the 500EL were added to the accessory line.

1976: The first zoom lens for a medium format camera was introduced, the 140-280mm Schneider Variogon.

1977: The 2000FC Focal plane shutter camera with a 1/2000 second shutter speed, staring with serial #500001, and five F lenses without shutters were unveiled.

1979: The SuperWide SWC/M was introduced, allowing the use of the Polaroid film magazine. Serial numbers started with #142112. A 250mm Tele-Tessar f4 lens without a shutter was also introduced.

1981: The 2000FCM camera body was introduced.

1982: To celebrate Hasselblad's twenty year involvement in the American space program, a limited edition (1,500) of a silver-grey 500ELM was produced. The PCP80 projector and a new line of CF shutter lenses, including a CF Biogon 38mm on the SWC/M, were introduced at Photokina later that year.

1983: The 2000FC was modified so the focal plane shutter opened automatically when the film magazine was removed. The new camera was called the 2000FCM.

1985: The 100th anniversary of Hasselblad's entry into the photographic industry was celebrated with a limited edition of 700 gold-finished 2000FCM cameras. The 500ELM was replaced by the 500ELX with a dedicated flash capability and non-vignetting mirror. The 2000FCM was replaced by the 2000FCW with removeable winding crank for attaching an electric motor drive. The 2x Mutar and 250mm f4 Tele-Tessar were also introduced.

1987: A special addition of 1,400 24-karat gold plated 500CM cameras were produced to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the first 500C camera.

1988: All four existing Hasselblad camera bodies were reintroduced as the updated models: 503CX, 553ELX, 2003FCW and 903SWC. The three SLR models featured the new Acute-Matte focusing screen. In addition, the 553 ELX and 503CX both offered OTF dedicated flash. The 553ELX was now powered by five batteries, providing up to 4,000 exposures. The new 903SWC had a minor body change and came with the new viewfinder with built-in spirit level.

1989: The 500CM was renamed and became the 500 Classic. At first it was sold as a special edition but later became a regular part of the camera line, increasing the total number of models to five.

1990: The 180mm f4 lens, 1.4x Perspecive control teleconverter and Hasselblad Proflash 4504 were introduced.

1991: Hasselblad celebrated 50th/150th anniversaries, 50 years making cameras and 150 years in business. The 205TCC was introduced, plus 50, 80, 110, 150, 250, and 350mm TCC lenses, PM5, PME5 and A12, A24, and A16 TCC magazines. Also issued was a 503CX gold cmaera with dark blue leather and an Anniversary 500 Classic.

1992: Hasselblad celebrated its 30th consecutive year of use in space. During that time there has been at least one Hasselblad camera on every U.S. manned space flight and Hasselblad still remains the primary 2 1/4 camera system used aboard all Space Shuttle flights.

1993: The 503 Pro-X package was introduced in April and made available until July, with a limited production of 2000 units.