The Biokam was developed by Alfred Darling for Charles Urban. It functioned as movie camera, still camera, film printer and projector. 17.5 mm film was manufactured by slitting 35 mm film down the middle. It was less expensive than 35 mm, which made it suitable for amateurs, its intended market.

Darling was an engineer who provided support to the so-called Brighton School, a group of filmmakers active in the Brighton area from 1896 to 1910.