Fascinating facts about George Eastman inventor of the
first film in roll form in1884
and the Kodak camera in 1888.
Eastman photo courtesy Rochester University
invent. First to patent. First practical. Entrepreneur.
Waterville, New York
1932 in in Rochester, New York
Eastman, George American inventor and philanthropist, who
played a leading role in transforming photography from an expensive
hobby of a few devotees into a relatively inexpensive and immensely
He was born in Waterville, New York, and was self-educated. In
1884 Eastman patented the first film in roll form to prove practicable;
in 1888 he perfected the Kodak camera, the first camera designed
specifically for roll film. In 1892 he established the Eastman
Kodak Company, at Rochester, New York, one of the first firms to
mass-produce standardized photography equipment. This
company also manufactured the flexible transparent film, devised by
Eastman in 1889, which proved vital to the subsequent development of the
motion picture industry.
Eastman was associated with the company in an administrative and an
executive capacity until his death and contributed much to the
development of its notable research facilities. He was also one of
the outstanding philanthropists of his time, donating more than $75
million to various projects. Notable among his contributions were
a gift to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and endowments for
the establishment of the Eastman School of Music in 1918 and a school of
medicine and dentistry in 1921 at the University of Rochester.
The Entrepreneur from The Great Idea Finder
The Philanthropist from
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Instant Photography from
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from The Great Idea Finder
ON THE BOOKSHELF:
The Invention of
by Quentin Bajac / Paperback: 160 pages / Harry N Abrams; (November 2002)
This fascinating study of the first half-century of photography covers not only its
scientific developments but also its establishment as a documentary tool and, eventually,
its critical acceptance as an art form.
Click: A Story
About George Eastman
by Barbara Mitchell / Paperback - 64 pages Reprint edition (April 1988) / Carolrhoda Books
Follows the life and career of the man who revolutionized photography by developing a
camera simple enough for anyone to use.
The Artist and
the Camera: Degas to Picasso
by Dorothy M. Kosinski / Hardcover - 352 pages (October 1999) / Yale Univ Press
This stunning book shows how some of the most influential artists of the
period-among them Bonnard, Brancusi, Degas, Gauguin, Mucha, Munch--enfolded photographs
into their creative processes and put the "wondrous new medium" to use in
paintings and sculpture.
Basic Book of 35Mm Photography
by Jeff Wignall, Eastman Kodak Co. Staff / Paperback: / Sterling Publications 2 Ed edition
There are plenty of big volume "Beginners Guides" out there but none of
them will make you lose your fear of confusion as fast as this one
ON THE SCREEN:
Captured Light: The Invention of Still Photography
DVD / 1 Volume Set / 50 Minutes / History Channel / Less than $25.00 /
The development of the still camera was one of the most significant
advances of the age of invention. The captured image has transformed the
way we see our world, preserving moments forever with the push of a
ON THE WEB:
George Eastman House
Today, much of the historic house built by George Eastman, its grounds, and
principal gardens have been carefully restored to suggest their original gracious
From glass plates to digital images.
Eastman The Man At Kodak
The complete history of George Eastman.
The online version is your gateway to
16,000 abriged references, articles and world atlas.
The Photographic Historical
Located in Rochester, NY was established to bring together all individuals with an
interest in the history of photography. Hosted by the School of Photographic Arts and
Sciences at the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Dimension - Inventor of the Week
Celebrates inventor/innovator role models through outreach activities and annual
awards to inspire a new generation of American scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs.
Inventors Hall of Fame
The National Inventors Hall of Fame™ honors
the women and men responsible for the great technological advances that make
human, social and economic progress possible..
"You just push the button, we do the
rest." - George Eastman
DID YOU KNOW?:
- George Eastmans life in photography spans the
half-century from 1880 to 1930, when science, technology and culture converged to create
"new products" of all sorts.
- US Patent No. 317,049 issued May 5,
1885 for Roll Film. Application filed August 8, 1884.
- Eastman had built a "Method and
Apparatus for Coating Plates" (patent #226,503, granted 1879) which
made dry film a reality
Sources in BOLD Type
page revised October 9, 2006.
Berners-Lee's invention has revolutionized the world like nothing
The invention of the Internet,
should be classed with the greatest events of the 20th Century.
The Aero Sport All-Terrain Bed
with Dual Power Pump is the perfect addition to any camping trip or weekend
book, is the perfect desktop reference for both the science novice and the
technologically advanced reader alike.
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