The visionary entrepreneur who revolutionized photography by making it accessible to everyone through roll film and the Kodak camera.
George Eastman (1854-1932) was an American entrepreneur who founded the Eastman Kodak Company and revolutionized photography by making it accessible to the masses through his innovations in roll film and the simple Kodak camera.
Born on July 12, 1854, in Waterville, New York, Eastman showed an early interest in photography while working as a bank clerk. His fascination with the cumbersome wet plate process led him to experiment with dry plates.
In 1888, Eastman introduced the Kodak camera with the now-famous slogan: "You press the button, we do the rest." The camera came pre-loaded with 100 exposures and was sent back to the factory for processing. This simple concept democratized photography.
Eastman's innovations in roll film not only transformed photography but also enabled the motion picture industry. Though he suffered from a spinal disease in his later years, his contributions to photography remain immeasurable.