Eastman Kodak

The Eastman Kodak story

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for

Principles of Macroeconomics– ECON 212

April 18, 2012

Spring 2012

History of George Eastman and Kodak Company

Kodak was widely known for its quality film and inkjet printers. It entered the photography market with its powerful slogan “you press the button, we do the rest.” Kodak was found by a very talented and dedicated young man called George Eastman. When he introduced the Kodak camera in 1888 and within a year, it was a well-known phrase. The Kodak banner was developed. The word “Kodak” was first registered as a trademark in 1888.

George Eastman began his business career as a fourteen year old office boy. His first jobs entailed working for an insurance company followed with work as a clerk at the local bank. Eastman was born on July 12, 1854 upstate New York. He was a high school dropout and when compared to the academic standards of the time he fell short. Due to his family circumstances he was forced to join the work force as a young boy; in order to take care of his widowed mother and his two sisters. George had to overcome financial adversity and he did this with his inventive mind. He was a successful entrepreneur by his mid-twenties, which enabled him to direct his Eastman Kodak Company to the forefront of American industry. His constant innovation and experiments led him to create from dry plates to transparent roll film and roll holder which made Kodak a very successful company. Thanks to Eastman’s inventive genius, anyone could now take pictures with a handheld camera simply by pressing a button. That was the time it had its Kodak moment. (Kodak Website)

Since the company was established, Eastman built and nurtured this growing company with four principles: “mass production at low cost, international distribution, extensive advertising and a focus on the customer” (Kodak Website). From 1888 to 1928 was the growth and peak time of Eastman Kodak Company...