George Eastman

Democratized photography through technological innovations and business models

The founder of Eastman Kodak Company (1854-1932) transformed photography from exclusive profession to universal medium. His key innovations included:

• 1884's roll film (US Patent 306,594)
• 1888's $25 Kodak camera ('You press the button, we do the rest')
• 1900's $1 Brownie camera

Eastman's vertical integration strategy controlled all aspects from film production to photo finishing. He pioneered:

1. Employee profit-sharing (1899)
2. Mass production techniques
3. Global distribution networks

Beyond business, Eastman became one of America's greatest philanthropists, donating over $100 million (equivalent to $1.5 billion today) to:

• University of Rochester
• MIT
• Tuskegee Institute
• Dental clinics worldwide

His 1932 suicide note read 'My work is done. Why wait?' leaving legacy that made visual documentation accessible to all.