Digital Camera Inventor Explains How Technology Took Down Kodak | The Huffington Post Digital Camera Inventor Explains How Technology Took Down Kodak 05/21/2013 07:29 pm ET | Updated May 22, 2013 1.2k Steve Sasson was working at the applied research lab at Eastman Kodak when he was asked to look into a new apparatus called a charge-coupled device. One year later, the first digital camera was born. But, while the invention changed the industry forever, it also caused the demise of one of the biggest photo companies in the world. "The revolution was going to happen," Sasson says. "I didn't know when, and I didn't know how effective it would be. In the end result, the fundamental business model of Kodak was undermined by the new technology." Sasson is credited with building the first digital camera in 1974 using a Fairchild CCD. He utilized an imaging chip to receive light from the lens and convert it into numbers. The charge pattern, he explains, was read quickly into a permanent storage place, which then happened to be a digital cassette tape.

He placed it in his playback unit, and in about 30 seconds he and his team saw the first digital image. "That first camera I took pictures with was only .01 megapixels [by] today's standard," Sasson says. Over the years, Kodak put billions of dollars behind digital imaging, but ultimately hit an obstacle it couldn't overcome. "It became difficult for them to shift the model," he explains. "... In some ways, [the technology] cannibalized an already existing business that was quite profitable and well-regarded." Kodak declared bankruptcy in 2012, but according to the Wall Street Journal , it expects to exit Chapter 11 protection in the third quarter of 2013. Sasson continues to consult with the company, and is proud of his achievements in digital imaging development, which, in his opinion, continue to support George Eastman's original vision of "democratized photography." "It's cool to think that you might have had a small part in seeing how this has enfolded for the world," Sasson muses.

"It really gives you a feeling of, 'Wow, I'm just one in a long line of people that have tried to work with the process and improve the process.' And there will be many more improvements in the future, as well." Chris Hadfield's Best Photos From Space Chris Hadfield's Best Photos From Space 1 How Kodak Squandered Every Single Digital Opportunity It Had How Kodak Squandered Every Single Digital Opportunity It Had 11.4k By Pete Pachal 2012-01-20 16:35:46 UTC Kodak has finally formalized what had been expected for years — it's gone bankrupt . In the past 15 years, digital technology changed photography dramatically, and Kodak, a former heavyweight in the analog film business, got left behind. That's the story of Kodak in the broadest of strokes, though it doesn't capture the full (if you'll forgive me) picture. In fact, Kodak missed the boat on digital not once, but at least three times.

Besides never capitalizing on the digital-camera tech it helped create, Kodak also gravely misunderstood the new ways consumers wanted to interact with their photos, the technologies involved, and the market forces surrounding them. "It's sad because they still have good people there," says Jeffrey Hayzlett, who was Kodak's Chief Marketing Officer from 2006 until 2010. "Overall the company has made a bunch of bets on technologies and business models that needed a longer runway than they had." The recent economic downturn was a factor in Kodak's demise, though other companies managed to weather it without going bankrupt. The truth is that by the time Kodak had both feet fully in the digital game, it had been outclassed by more nimble competitors with better products. And whenever Kodak took a shot at standing out, it was a swing and a miss. Now that it's completely struck out, it bears reflecting on how deeply Kodak misunderstood consumer photography today, and the digital and social forces transforming it: Miss 1: Digital Cameras It's no exaggeration to say Kodak invented digital photography.

In 1975 Kodak engineer Steve Sasson created the first digital camera, which took photos with 10,000 pixels, or 0.01 megapixels — about a hundredth of the resolution that low-end cameraphones have today. Kodak didn't stop there; it worked extensively on digital, patenting numerous technologies, many of which are built into the digital cameras of today. (Kodak's primary asset is its intellectual property, which some estimates value at $2 billion.) "If you want to point back to the most pivotal moment that caused this," says Hayzlett, "it was back in 1975 when they discovered the digital camera and put it back into a closet. Some of the same people are still there. I actually had an executive from Kodak come up to me last week and say, 'I think film's coming back.'" In 1995 the company brought its first digital camera to market, the DC40 . This was years before many others would get into the digital game, but Kodak never took advantage of its early start.

Philisophically, the company was steeped in the film business, and to embrace digital meant cannibalizing its own business. Others quickly filled the niche, and Kodak didn't fully rev up its digital business until 2001, when it launched the EasyShare line of point-and-shoot cameras. "It's a classic business strategy problem," says Miriam Leuchter, editor of Popular Photography. "Their whole business was tied up in film and in printing. So while they're developing this business technology, there's not a big incentive to push it very far." While Kodak was slow to get into the digital game, it wasn't the only one. Perennial rival Fujifilm tiptoed as well, not coming out with the FinePix line of point-and-shoots until 2001, so Kodak still had a chance. However, despite having created the category, Kodak digital cameras weren't anything special. They didn't have any standout specs or features, and their designs weren't as eye-catching other manufacturers' models. "They just weren't as good," says Leuchter. "And the cameras themselves weren't that appealing.

Consumers like products that look cool, and [many] Kodak products just do not look cool. They're bulky, they're hunky, they're dorky looking. They had a couple of good EasyShare cameras a couple of years ago, but they weren't as good as a lot of the point-and-shoots from other companies." Those rivals — including Fujifilm, Nikon, Sony, Canon and others — kept innovating over the years with features like face detection, smile detection, and in-camera red-eye fixes, and Kodak, while it put out competent products, was always following feature trends, never leading them. "The fact that Kodak invented the digital camera makes what is happening now particularly tragic," says photographer Steve Simon, author of The Passionate Photographer . "For the last few years I would see Kodak at photo trade shows and on the big billboard at Times Square and I would wonder to myself, who exactly are they now and what exactly are they doing?

If a photographer has to ask that, you know they have a problem." Miss 2: Photo Sharing Kodak actually had one shot at creating a truly novel and useful feature for digital cameras: The company launched the world's first Wi-Fi enabled camera in 2005, the EasyShare-One (seen below). The camera came equipped with a special card (separate from the SD card) that, when engaged, could connect to a nearby Wi-Fi network. The user could then email photos to friends straight from the camera. I reviewed the camera for Sound+Vision magazine, and, while it was bulky and had a cumbersome way of using the Wi-Fi, it worked as promised. Emailing photos was a relatively simple task (aside from the initial inputting of addresses), and since few people were securing their Wi-Fi networks with passwords in 2005, finding an open hotspot was surprisingly easy in urban environments. Nonetheless, the camera failed to sell well, and Kodak killed the line. However, if the company had the foresight to realize sharing was going to become the way people interacted with their photos, it might have thought twice.

The year the EasyShare-One came out was the same year a group of engineers founded Eye-Fi , which has gone on to create a successful business around Wi-Fi-enabled SD cards for cameras — virtually the exact same concept Kodak abandoned. "Photo sharing is the killer app today," says Hayzlett. "There's nothing that beats it. The issue is they built a Wi-Fi camera well before its time, and really the application needs to be on a phone." Sharing via the Web is by far the biggest way people use their photos, though, and Kodak seemingly got into the game reasonably early with its purchase of the Ofoto service in 2001 (Snapfish, now owned by HP, was founded in 2000). It took Kodak four years to relaunch the service as Kodak EasyShare Gallery, though, a huge amount of time that saw the emergence of Flickr , Picasa, Photobucket and others. Although EasyShare got good reviews for a while, the buzz surrounding its competitors was too loud for it to make any noise. And let's not forget cellphones, which not only helped murder Kodak's digital camera business (along with everyone else's — right, Flip?), but also made photos social.

While it would be expecting too much of Kodak to have created novel apps like Instagram or PicPlz , it was a virtual non-presence in mobile apps (no, SmileMaker doesn't count), which cemented the company's irrelevance in the way people experience photos today. There are no Kodak moments in mobile. Miss 3: Photo Viewing Kodak bet big on digital photo frames and photo printers, though it didn't anticipate the market forces at work in each field. When Kodak began pushing hard into frames — with differentiating features like Wi-Fi and batteries (most frames only work when plugged in) — prices were in free-fall, and digital frames were rapidly becoming a commodity market, with thin margins. "That's a very tough business to make money in, if you can make it at all," says Hayzlett. "Everybody wants the best quality for free, basically." At the same time, Kodak frames were still hampered by the necessity to tie into the company's photo services, and the setup was much more technically cumbersome than the average person was willing to endure (if you've ever set up a Wi-Fi frame, you've probably wished Apple would enter the market so it would "just work").

Competing against value brands and other heavy hitters such as HP and Sony, Kodak frames only marginally stood out, and the company couldn't make any substantial money on them. The field of photo printing, which Kodak is expected to emphasize if it emerges from bankruptcy, experienced a total transformation over the last decade. Everyone outside of professional photographers used to get prints of all their pictures out of necessity, but today few print photos in any quantity. Ever fewer want the hassle of owning a photo printer, instead choosing to get prints mailed to them from online services like Snapfish. "They made a big bet on consumer imaging technology — point-and-shoots and photo printers and picture frames — at a time when people increasingly using their phones," says Leuchter. "And they're not printing as much. Home printers are nice, but nobody's printing. They're only printing the photos they care most about." A significant number of consumers do print photos, however, and the cheap-printer-as-means-to-sell-ink model is a proven model for companies to make money.

If indeed Kodak survives, it makes financial sense for it to try and continue to be a force in the business, though since prints have been demoted to an ancillary way people experience photos, the company will never become the influencer it once was by focusing on it. Lessons Learned The most immediate takeaway from the fall of Kodak is clear: Don't be afraid to cannibalize your own business in the name of progress. This is seen time and again in the digital revolution: Sony's reluctance to develop a competent digital Walkman left an opening for the iPod . Blockbuster laughed off Netflix in the early days, then went bankrupt when it couldn't compete with its Web-based competitor. And iPads may be eating up some Mac sales, but Apple's bottom line is stronger than ever. But Kodak's inability to make any of its products stand out over the last decade is demonstrative of an overall reluctance to innovate. Certainly, if you asked Kodak executives in the early 2000s if they were committed to innovation, they would have answered yes, but real innovation requires risk and vision.

You don't kill all Wi-Fi cameras just because the first model got a lukewarm response from the market — that is, if you really believe in the core idea. The story of Kodak's downfall is an affirmation that true innovative spirit is much more often found in smaller companies and startups rather than old-school behemoths of yesteryear. After all, if you don't have much to lose, you tend to make many more all-in bets. But, as Kodak has shown, if all you do is play it safe, the cost just to stay in the game will whittle you down until you've got nothing left. BONUS: A History of Kodak in Pictures A Brief History of Kodak "You Press the Button..." High school drop out and bank clerk George Eastman's technological breakthrough in the late 1870s and 1880s was the development of dry film. Previous to Eastman's invention, photography was an expensive, cumbersome and messy hobby. Cameras were enormous and the wet film required processing straight away.

In September 1888, New York-based Eastman registered the made-up brand name "Kodak" and offered the first branded camera, a handheld box-shaped model sold with the promise, "You press the button - we do the rest." Further developments during the rest of the century and into the 1900s saw Kodak film improve, cameras get smaller and easier to use and the brand grow into one synonymous with the new medium of snapshot photography. The Kodak Box BROWNIE In 1900 the Kodak "BROWNIE" was introduced. This cardboard camera sold for $1, with film at 15 cents a roll. The BROWNIE is credited with the democratization of photography -- bringing the medium into the financial reach of everyone. Kodak continued to produce BROWNIES until the late 1960s, selling millions of models across the globe.

Milestones | Kodak MILESTONES 1878 1930 1960 1980 1990 2000 2010 George Eastman was one of the first to demonstrate the great convenience of gelatin dry plates over the cumbersome and messy wet plate photography prevalent in his day. Dry plates could be exposed and developed at the photographer's convenience; wet plates had to be coated, exposed at once, and developed while still wet. 1878 Eastman invented an emulsion-coating machine which enabled him to mass-produce photographic dry plates. 1879 Eastman began commercial production of dry plates in a rented loft of a building in Rochester, N.Y. 1880 In January, Eastman and Henry A. Strong (a family friend and buggy-whip manufacturer) formed a partnership known as the Eastman Dry Plate Company. ♦ In September, Eastman quit his job as a bank clerk to devote his full time to the business. 1881 The Eastman Dry Plate Company completed transfer of operations to a four-story building at what is now 343 State Street, Rochester, NY, the company's worldwide headquarters.

1883 The business was changed from a partnership to a $200,000 corporation with 14 shareowners when the Eastman Dry Plate and Film Company was formed. ♦ EASTMAN Negative Paper was introduced. ♦ Eastman and William H. Walker, an associate, invented a roll holder for negative papers. 1884 EASTMAN American Film was introduced - the first transparent photographic "film" as we know it today. ♦ The company opened a wholesale office in London, England. 1885 George Eastman became one of the first American industrialists to employ a full-time research scientist to aid in the commercialization of a flexible, transparent film base. 1886 The name "Kodak" was born and the KODAK camera was placed on the market, with the slogan, "You press the button - we do the rest." This was the birth of snapshot photography, as millions of amateur picture-takers know it today. 1888 The first commercial transparent roll film, perfected by Eastman and his research chemist, was put on the market. The availability of this flexible film made possible the development of Thomas Edison's motion picture camera in 1891.

♦ A new corporation - The Eastman Company - was formed, taking over the assets of the Eastman Dry Plate and Film Company. 1889 The company marketed its first daylight-loading camera, which meant that the photographer could now reload the camera without using a darkroom. ♦ The manufacture of photographic film and paper was transferred to four newly-constructed buildings at Kodak Park, in Rochester. Also, the company's first manufacturing plant outside the U.S. was opened in Harrow, England. 1891 The company became Eastman Kodak Company of New York. 1892 A six-story Camera Works was built on State Street, in Rochester, to manufacture the growing line of box and folding roll-film cameras. 1893 The Pocket KODAK Camera was announced. It used roll film and incorporated a small window through which positioning numbers for exposures could be read. 1895 One year after the discovery of x-rays, Eastman entered into an agreement to supply plates and paper for the new process. ♦ Kodak also marketed the first film especially coated for motion picture use. 1896 Kodak established a wholly-owned subsidiary in France, expanding a branch office which had been opened in 1891.

1897 Kodak marketed the Folding Pocket KODAK Camera, now considered the ancestor of all modern roll-film cameras. It produced a 2 1/4-inch by 3 1/4-inch negative, which remained the standard size for decades. ♦ The company's suggestion system began. It provided cash payments to employees for suggestions that improved the company's operations. 1898 The company developed the continuous wheel process for manufacturing transparent film base, which had previously been coated on long tables. ♦ Eastman awarded Kodak employees a bonus from his personal funds for their "extra good work." ♦ Kodak Canada Limited was organized as a distribution center in Toronto. 1899 The first of the famous BROWNIE Cameras was introduced. It sold for $1 and used film that sold for 15 cents a roll. For the first time, the hobby of photography was within the financial reach of virtually everyone. 1900 Eastman Kodak Company of New Jersey, the present parent company, was formed. George Eastman became president of the New Jersey holding company. Henry A. Strong, Eastman's original partner, remained at the head of the New York company until his death in 1919.

1901 The KODAK Developing Machine made it possible for amateurs to process their own film without a darkroom. 1902 KODAK Non-Curling Film, which would remain the standard for amateur photography for nearly 30 years, was introduced. 1903 Kodak's worldwide employment passed the 5,000 mark. 1907 Kodak produced the world's first commercially practical safety film using cellulose acetate base instead of the highly flammable cellulose nitrate base. ♦ A manufacturing plant was opened in Australia. 1908 The company's Blair Camera factory in Rochester was renamed the Hawk-Eye Works, and a department for the design of optics was established there in 1912. ♦ Eastman created a benefit, accident, and pension fund for employees. ♦ The company's first safety committee was organized to study accident prevention. 1911 Eastman hired Dr. C.E. Kenneth Mees, a British scientist, to organize and head a research laboratory in Rochester, one of the first industrial research centers in the U.S. ♦ Kodak employees received their first Wage Dividend, a profit-sharing program that continues in the U.S. today.

1912 The introduction of EASTMAN Portrait Film began a transition to the use of sheet film instead of glass plates for professional photographers. 1913 A 16-story office building, the company's present worldwide headquarters, was completed at 343 State Street in Rochester. Three more stories were added in 1930. 1914 Kodak developed aerial cameras and trained aerial photographers for the U.S. Signal Corps during World War I. Eastman also offered the U.S. Navy supplies of cellulose acetate for coating airplane wings and producing unbreakable lenses for gas masks. 1917 Tennessee Eastman Company was organized to manufacture wood alcohol for film base. 1920 The Eastman Savings and Loan Association was established to help employees save and to finance home purchases. It remained part of the company until it became a self-standing credit union in 1994. 1921 Kodak made amateur motion pictures practical with the introduction of 16 mm reversal film on cellulose acetate (safety) base, the first 16 mm CINE-KODAK Motion Picture Camera, and the KODASCOPE Projector.

The immediate popularity of 16 mm movies resulted in a network of Kodak processing laboratories throughout the world. 1923 Eastman became chairman of Kodak's board of directors. William G. Stuber, whom Eastman had hired in 1894 to direct emulsion-making, was elected president. 1925 Kodak employment throughout the world passed the 20,000 mark. 1927 Motion pictures in color became a reality for amateur cinematographers with the introduction of 16 mm KODACOLOR Film. ♦ The first microfilm system, designed to simplify the management of bank records, was introduced by Recordak Corporation, a newly-formed subsidiary of Kodak. ♦ Retirement annuity, life insurance, and disability benefit programs were established for Kodak men and women. 1928 The company introduced its first motion picture film designed especially for making the then new sound motion pictures. 1929 Kodak purchased a gelatin manufacturing plant in Peabody, Massachusetts, and formed Eastman Gelatin Corporation. 1930 Tennessee Eastman began marketing its first cellulose acetate yarn in the textile field.

♦ Kodak introduced KODALITH Film and Plates, which replaced the collodion wet plates used in the graphic arts industry. ♦ KODAK VERICHROME Film was introduced, offering greater latitude and finer grain than the KODAK NC (Non-Curling) Film that had been the standard since 1903. ♦ Kodak bought the Nagel Camera Company in Stuttgart, Germany. This became Kodak A.G., which for decades served as an equipment manufacturing site for Kodak. Another German factory in Koepenick was lost in the division of Germany after World War II. 1931 The first 8 mm amateur motion picture film, cameras, and projectors were introduced. ♦ Tennessee Eastman began production of its first plastic - EASTMAN TENITE Acetate. ♦ George Eastman died, leaving his entire residual estate to the University of Rochester. In 1949, his Rochester home was opened as an independent public museum - The International Museum of Photography at George Eastman House. 1932 Kodak and Western Electric jointly commercialized high-speed industrial photography with a high-speed camera, synchronized with an electric timer. 1933 Kodak A.G.

(Germany) introduced the first of its 35 mm precision KODAK RETINA Cameras. ♦ Kodak and General Mills, Inc. began a joint research program on molecular distillation, based on earlier Kodak research. By 1938, Distillation Products, Incorporated was manufacturing vitamin concentrates and, in 1948, Kodak bought General Mills' interest in the company. ♦ William G. Stuber became chairman of the board of directors and Frank Lovejoy succeeded him as president. 1934 KODACHROME Film was introduced and became the first commercially successful amateur color film. It was initially offered in 16 mm format for motion pictures; 35 mm slides and 8 mm home movies followed in 1936. 1935 Kodak introduced a new home movie camera - the 16 mm Magazine CINE-KODAK Camera - that used film in magazines instead of rolls. A year later, Kodak introduced its first 16 mm sound-on-film projector, the Sound KODASCOPE Special Projector. 1936 Kodak introduced its first slide projector, the KODASLIDE Projector.

A top-load model, it took one slide at a time. 1937 Kodak developed the first camera with built-in photoelectric exposure control – the Super KODAK Six-20 Camera. 1938 Kodak added a READY-MOUNT Service for 35 mm KODACHROME Film. This made it possible to project slides as soon as they were received from a Kodak processing laboratory. ♦ The company began a program of annual fellowship grants to colleges and universities throughout the nation. 1939 Kodak marketed the versatile KODAK EKTRA Camera, with a shutter-speed range from 1/1000 to 1 second. ♦ Airgraph, or "V-Mail," was developed by Kodak as a system for microfilming letters to conserve shipping space during World War II. ♦ Frank Lovejoy was elected chairman of the board and Thomas J. Hargrave, previously head of the company's legal department, became president. 1941 KODACOLOR Film for prints, the world's first true color negative film, was announced. ♦ Kodak's Rochester plants were awarded the U.S.

Army-Navy "E" for high achievement in the production of equipment and films for the war effort. 1942 Perley S. Wilcox succeeded Frank Lovejoy as chairman of the board of directors. He had previously directed the formation of Tennessee Eastman Company in 1920. 1945 Kodak marketed KODAK EKTACHROME Transparency Sheet Film, the company's first color film that photographers could process themselves using newly marketed chemical kits. ♦ Kodak employment worldwide passed the 60,000 mark. 1946 The world's first commercial production of synthetic vitamin A began at Distillation Product Industries (DPI); DPI discontinued vitamin A production in 1973. ♦ Kodak introduced the EASTMAN Television Recording Camera, in cooperation with DuMont Laboratories and NBC, for recording images from a television screen. 1947 Kodak announced a 35 mm tri-acetate safety base film for the motion picture industry to replace the flammable cellulose nitrate base - and received an Oscar® for it two years later. ♦ Fully automatic processing of snapshots was made possible by the KODAK Continuous Paper Processor. The machine produced 2,400 finished snapshots an hour.

1948 The company unveiled the first in its long-running series of KODAK COLORAMA Display transparencies - 18 feet high and 60 feet wide - overlooking the main terminal floor of Grand Central Station in New York City. An estimated 650,000 commuters and tourists viewed this popular attraction every business day, and many of the dramatic photographs displayed over the years were the subject of widespread newspaper and magazine coverage. The exhibit was permanently dismantled in early 1989 as part of Grand Central's restoration. 1950 The low-priced BROWNIE 8 mm Movie Camera was introduced. The BROWNIE Movie Projector was added in 1952, and the BROWNIE Turret Camera was introduced in 1955. ♦ Recordak Corporation introduced the new BANTAM Microfilmer with the highest reduction ratio ever achieved - 40:1. ♦ The Texas Eastman Company began operations in Longview, Texas, for the production of alcohols and aldehydes for the chemical trade. ♦ Dr. Albert K. Chapman succeeded Thomas J. Hargrave as president of the company when Hargrave became chairman of the board.

1951 KODAK TRI-X Film, a high-speed black-and-white film, was introduced. ♦ Texas Eastman constructed a new plant to produce EASTMAN TENITE polyethylene plastic. ♦ Kodak Brasileira began operating a sensitizing plant in Sao Paulo, Brazil. 1954 Kodak began selling color films without the cost of processing included, as the result of a consent decree signed in 1954. The long-term result was the creation of a new market for Kodak, providing products and services to independent photofinishers. ♦ The company's employment throughout the world reached 73,000. 1955 Black-and-white KODAK VERICHROME Pan Film was introduced, replacing the popular KODAK VERICHROME Film that was launched in 1931. ♦ Tennessee Eastman introduced VEREL Fiber for use in rugs, draperies and other household furnishings. ♦ Kodak formed the Apparatus and Optical Division, which included the Camera Works and the Hawk-Eye Works in Rochester. 1956 The KODAK BROWNIE STARMATIC Cameras were introduced.

These cameras eventually included seven models, and more than 10 million were sold over the next five years. 1957 The KODAK CAVALCADE Projector, the company's first fully automatic slide projector, was introduced. ♦ The KODAK X-OMAT Processor reduced the processing time for x-ray films from one hour to six minutes. ♦ The company's first single-lens reflex camera, the KODAK RETINA Reflex Camera, was manufactured by Kodak A.G. in Stuttgart, Germany. ♦ KODAK Polyester Textile Fiber, developed by Tennessee Eastman, was made available for use in clothing. A plant for large-scale production of EASTMAN KODEL Fiber was built in 1960. 1958 KODAK High Speed EKTACHROME Film became the fastest color film on the market. ♦ Fully automatic exposure control was introduced on two Kodak still cameras and four 8 mm movie cameras. ♦ The number of Kodak shareowners passed the 100,000 mark. 1959 KODAK ESTAR Film Base (a polyester film base) was introduced to give improved dimensional stability to KODALITH Graphic Arts Film.

♦ The RECORDAK RELIANT 500 Microfilmer was introduced and was capable of photographing up to 500 checks or 185 letters in one minute. ♦ Dr. Albert K. Chapman became vice-chairman of the board of directors and William S. Vaughn became president and chief executive officer. 1960 The company introduced the first in its very successful line of KODAK CAROUSEL Projectors, which featured a round tray holding 80 slides. ♦ KODACHROME II Film was introduced, providing a significant improvement over the long-established KODACHROME Film. 1961 The company's U.S. consolidated sales exceeded $1 billion for the first time and worldwide employment passed the 75,000 mark. ♦ John Glenn became the first American astronaut to orbit the earth, and Kodak film recorded his reactions to traveling through space at 17,400 miles per hour. ♦ Dr. Albert K. Chapman became chairman of the board of directors following the death of Thomas J. Hargrave.

1962 The line of KODAK INSTAMATIC Cameras was introduced, featuring easy-to-use cartridge-loading film, which brought amateur photography to new heights of popularity. More than 50 million INSTAMATIC Cameras were produced by 1970. 1963 The Kodak Pavilion at the New York World's Fair was one of the ten largest buildings at the international exposition. The "Tower of Photography" featured the largest outdoor color prints ever exhibited. 1964 Kodak developed the super 8 format and launched super 8 movies with new cartridge-loading KODACHROME II Film. ♦ KODAK INSTAMATIC Cameras enabled picture-takers to take four flash pictures without changing flashbulbs. ♦ New automated processing systems reduced the processing time for x-ray films to a mere 90 seconds. 1965 The KODAK 2620 Color Printer incorporated an electronic memory to produce 2,000 to 3,000 prints an hour. ♦ "The photograph of the century," a close-up of the crater Copernicus on the moon, was made by Lunar Orbiter II, using a dual-lens camera, film, processor, and readout device supplied by Kodak.

♦ Combined sales of all Kodak units around the world surpassed $4 billion, and Kodak employment throughout the world passed the 100,000 mark. 1966 Relocation of the Camera Works plant was begun on a 600-acre site in the town of Gates, NY. The site, Elmgrove Plant, was the center of U.S. equipment manufacturing until its sale in 2000. Afterwards, its operations moved to other Kodak locations. ♦ William S. Vaughn became chairman of the board of directors and Dr. Louis K. Eilers succeeded him as president. 1967 Carolina Eastman Company was dedicated in Columbia, South Carolina, for the manufacture of KODEL Polyester fibers and yarn. 1968 Construction began on Kodak Colorado Division - a manufacturing unit for films and papers, located in Windsor, Colorado. ♦ A very special stereo camera made by Kodak accompanied astronauts Aldrin and Armstrong when they set foot on the moon. ♦ Kodak received an Emmy® Award for its development of fast color film processing for television use.

♦ The KODAK EKTAGRAPHIC Slide Projector, Kodak's first slide projector designed for the professional audio-visual market, was introduced. ♦ The number of shareowners passed the 200,000 mark. 1969 A new film manufacturing plant in Guadalajara, Mexico was dedicated. ♦ The company's suggestion system received its one millionth suggestion. ♦ Dr. Louis K. Eilers became chairman of the board and Gerald B. Zornow was named president. ♦ More than 50 million KODAK INSTAMATIC Cameras were produced from 1963 to 1970. 1970 Kodak introduced KODAK EKTACHROME 160 Movie Film (Type A) and two new super 8 movie cameras which, in combination, made possible "existing light" movies for home use. ♦ The Marketing Education Center (also known as the Riverwood site), opened as a training facility that offered a variety of educational services to professionals who used Kodak products.

1971 Kodak reduced the popular INSTAMATIC Camera to pocket size with the introduction of five different KODAK Pocket INSTAMATIC Cameras, using a new KODAK 110 Film Cartridge. The line was so popular that more than 25 million cameras were produced in slightly under three years. ♦ Walter A. Fallon became president and chief executive officer and Gerald B. Zornow was elected chairman of the board. 1972 The company unveiled sound home movies with the introduction of two super 8 sound movie cameras and cartridge-loading super 8 film, magnetically striped for sound recording. ♦ Worldwide employment passed the 120,000 mark. 1973 Kodak invented the world's first digital camera. The prototype was the size of a toaster and captured black-and-white images at a resolution of 10,000 pixels (.01 megapixels). ♦ Kodak introduced the KODAK EKTAPRINT 100 Copier-Duplicator, which received immediate industry acclaim for its high-quality copies and the user conveniences made possible by an on-board microcomputer.

1975 The line of KODAK EKTAPRINT Copier-Duplicators was expanded to six different models. ♦ New KODAK ORACLE and KODAK STARVUE Microfilm Products were introduced, providing high-speed, automated retrieval of microfilmed images. ♦ New KODAK Instant Cameras, and a print film for self-developing color prints, were announced. 1976 Arkansas Eastman Company, the newest member of the Eastman Chemicals Division, began commercial production of organic chemicals. ♦ Walter A. Fallon was elected chairman of the board and Colby H. Chandler became president. 1977 Eastman Chemicals Division introduced EASTMAN KODAPAK Thermoplastic Polyester for use in manufacturing beverage bottles. 1978 Kodak celebrated its 100th anniversary. ♦ The company announced its entry into the clinical diagnostic market with the KODAK EKTACHEM 400 Analyzer, utilizing dry-chemistry blood serum analysis. 1980 Company sales surpassed the $10 billion mark. ♦ Kodak acquired Atex, Inc., a manufacturer of computer-based publishing systems.

♦ The introduction of KODAK EKTAFLEX PCT Color Printmaking Products made it easy for home darkroom enthusiasts to make color enlargements. 1981 Kodak launched "disc photography" with a line of compact, "decision-free" cameras built around a rotating disc of film. ♦ KODACOLOR VR 100 Film was introduced, using a new T-GRAIN Emulsion Technology which represented a major break-through in silver-halide emulsions. ♦ The Kodak pavilion opened in Walt Disney World's new EPCOT Center near Orlando, Florida. 1982 Colby H. Chandler was elected chairman and chief executive officer and Kay R. Whitmore became president. ♦ The KODAK KAR 4000 Information System provided advanced capabilities for computer-assisted storage and retrieval of microfilm images. ♦ Tennessee Eastman began operation of the only commercial plant in the U.S. for making industrial chemicals from coal. ♦ The KODAK EKTACHEM DT60 Analyzer, a desktop unit, brought the convenience of dry-chemistry blood serum analysis to the physician's office.

1983 Kodak entered the video market with the KODAVISION Series 2000 8 mm video system and introduced KODAK Videotape Cassettes in 8 mm, Beta, and VHS formats. ♦ The company announced a full line of flexible floppy disks for personal computers. 1984 The company introduced two new image management systems - the KODAK EKTAPRINT Electronic Publishing System (KEEPS) and the KODAK Information Management System (KIMS). ♦ Minilab systems for photofinishers were introduced, offering consumers exceptionally fast photo print service. 1985 The company introduced two new KODACOLOR VR-G 35 Films and re-entered the 35 mm camera market with two new Kodak VR 35 Cameras. ♦ The company announced KODAK ULTRALIFE Lithium Power Cells, the world's first 9-volt lithium cells for consumer use, and entered the general consumer battery market with a line of KODAK SUPRALIFE Batteries. ♦ Kodak entered a new health-care business with the establishment of its Eastman Pharmaceuticals Division.

1986 The company entered the electronic still-video market with seven products for recording, storing, manipulating, transmitting and printing electronic still video images. ♦ Construction began on a new state-of-the-art sensitizing plant in Rochester, N.Y., for coating color films for professional use. ♦ Kodak announced its first one-time-use camera - the KODAK FLING Camera - which contained a 110 KODACOLOR Film Cartridge. 1987 Kodak acquired Sterling Drug Inc., providing the infrastructure and marketing ability Kodak needed to participate in markets for ethical/prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Kodak eventually sold its non-imaging health-related businesses in 1994. ♦ Qualex, Inc. was established as a joint venture between Kodak and Fuqua Industries, Inc., merging the operations of about 90 photographic processing labs owned by the two parties. ♦ The first line of color negative films created especially for photojournalists was introduced with KODAK EKTAPRESS GOLD Films. ♦ Black-and-white film technology progressed with KODAK T-MAX P3200 Film.

♦ The KODAK CREATE-A-PRINT 35 mm Enlargement Center enabled consumers to crop and make their own enlargements in a few minutes. 1988 Kodak celebrated the 100th anniversary of motion pictures by introducing EASTMAN EXR Color Negative Films. ♦ The KODAK XL 7700 Digital Continuous Tone Printer, which produced large format thermal color prints, was introduced. ♦ The one-time-use KODAK STRETCH 35 Camera produced 3 1/2 x 10 - inch prints for panoramic scenes. ♦ The one-time-use KODAK WEEKEND 35 Camera was an all-weather camera capable of taking pictures underwater down to a depth of 8 feet. ♦ The KODAK IMAGELINK Component Series (for document imaging) and KODAK OPTISTAR Products (for computer output) offered a choice of micrographic or digital capture of images. ♦ The KODAK X-OMATIC RA cassette significantly reduced radiographic exposure for pediatric patients. 1989 Kay Whitmore was elected Kodak Chairman and CEO.

♦ Kodak announced the development of its Photo CD system for playing images on television screens, and proposed a worldwide standard for defining color in the digital environment of computers and computer peripherals. ♦ The KODAK PREMIER Image Enhancement System helped commercial and industrial photography labs achieve new levels of quality and productivity by combining silver-halide and electronic technologies to scan photographs, digitize the information, and then output to photographic film or paper. ♦ The company announced its first product in a new family of document management systems, providing high-speed printing capability for centralized duplicating departments. ♦ Kodak began a recycling program for one-time use cameras and also began using recycled paperboard for film boxes. 1990 Sterling Drug Inc. announced an agreement with Sanofi, a leading French pharmaceutical company, that would result in a number of joint ventures between the companies. ♦ The KODAK Professional Digital Camera System (DCS) was introduced, enabling photojournalists to take electronic pictures with a Nikon F-3 camera equipped by Kodak with a 1.3 megapixel sensor. ♦ New copiers from Kodak offered innovative digital features, such as the ability to customize copies of original documents.

♦ Kodak completed construction, started in 1986, of a new state-of-the-art sensitizing plant in Rochester, N.Y., for coating color professional and motion picture films. 1991 The KODAK FUN SAVER Telephoto 35 Camera was added to the popular line of one-time use cameras. ♦ Kodak sold its 100,000th X-OMAT X-ray film processor, first introduced in 1956. ♦ The company announced a joint R&D project with Canon, Fuji, Minolta and Nikon to develop an Advanced Photographic System. ♦ New digital products included the KODAK Professional DCS 200 Digital Camera and the KODAK XLT 7720 Digital Continuous Tone Printer. ♦ KODAK EKTAPRO Projectors became the first Kodak slide projectors to connect to a computer. ♦ Kodak received an R&D 100 Award for its INSIGHT Thoracic Imaging System, which produced significantly improved X-ray images of soft tissues. ♦ KODACOLOR film celebrated its 50th anniversary.

1992 Kodak introduced 20 new photographic products, including the sleek, compact CAMEO 35 mm Camera Line; new EKTACHROME LUMIERE Films; an underwater version of EKTACHROME Film; and the KODAK FUN SAVER Portrait 35 One-Time Use Camera. ♦ The company launched a stream of new software products and Photo CD formats for commercial use, in addition to a portable Photo CD player. ♦ Using Kodak's new CINEON Technology, Kodak technicians digitally restored Walt Disney's 1937 classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. ♦ George M.C. Fisher, previously CEO of Motorola, became Kodak's Chairman and CEO. ♦ At year-end, Eastman Chemical Company (including Distillation Products business), founded in 1920, was spun off to shareholders and became an independent company with its own board of directors and New York Stock Exchange listing. 1993 Kodak announced 30 new products, including KODAK ROYAL GOLD Film and new digital imaging products and services.

Digital products included the KODAK Copyprint Station, for making new prints from old prints; the KODAK Digital Enhancement Station 100, enabling retailers to help consumers eliminate defects such as "red-eye;" and the KODAK Creation Station, an easy-to-use walk-up center for making digital prints from negatives, slides, prints and Photo CD images. ♦ Kodak divested its non-imaging health-related businesses - Sterling Winthrop, L&F Products and Clinical Diagnostics - enabling the company to focus all of its resources on its core imaging business. 1994 Kodak introduced its Internet website, kodak.com, providing an opportunity for Internet users all over the world to learn more about Kodak's people, products, services, and history. ♦ Kodak advanced its digital imaging business with the KODAK DC40 Point-and-Shoot Digital Camera, and new premium-grade paper and transparency film formulated to provide high-quality color images from ink-jet printers. ♦ Kodak announced that Danka Business Systems PLC would sell and service KODAK High-Volume Copiers throughout the U.S. and Canada. 1995 The Advanced Photo System format was introduced.

Features included drop-in film cartridge loading, mid-roll change enabling the film to be removed before being completely exposed, and three picture formats (Classic, Group, and Panoramic). Kodak unveiled the ADVANTIX Brand, for its related products. ♦ The company unveiled the first in a series of pocket-sized digital cameras for the rapidly growing consumer digital market. ♦ Kodak television commercials featured the theme, "Take Pictures. Further.," a campaign designed to broaden the appeal of the Kodak brand. ♦ The company shipped its 10,000th medical laser printer, the KODAK EKTASCAN 2180 Laser Printer. ♦ Daniel A. Carp was appointed Kodak's President and Chief Operating Officer. 1996 Kodak sold the sales, marketing, and equipment service operations of its Office Imaging business and its facilities management business (formerly known as Kodak Imaging Services) to Danka Business Systems PLC. ♦ The company introduced four new KODAK GOLD Films (100, 200, 400 and Max 800 speeds) that employed COLORSHARP Technology.

♦ By February, the company had recycled more than 100 million one-time-use cameras since the program began in 1990. ♦ The KODAK Picture Network was announced, enabling people to view their photos, order reprints, and share their pictures with friends and family around the world via the Internet. ♦ In April, the company unveiled the KODAK DIGITAL SCIENCE DC120 Zoom Digital Camera, the first point-and-shoot megapixel quality digital camera under $1,000. ♦ Kodak and Sun Chemical Corporation agreed to form a joint venture, Kodak Polychrome Graphics, to supply the graphic arts market with sensitized products as well as computer-to-plate and other digital solutions. ♦ An advanced Kodak image sensor allowed NASA's Mars Rover to "see" as it moved about to explore that planet's surface. 1997 KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA Color Negative Films, and KODAK PROFESSIONAL SUPRA III Color Paper were introduced. ♦ America Online and Kodak announced "You've Got Pictures!" a service where AOL members could have their processed pictures delivered online.

♦ Kodak acquired most of Imation Corporation's worldwide medical imaging business, including the DRYVIEW Laser Imaging business. ♦ Astronaut John Glenn and the other members of the STS-95 crew used a KODAK PROFESSIONAL DCS 460 Digital Camera to capture high-resolution images for real-time transmission back to Earth during their space flight. 1998 Kodak sold its digital printer, copier/duplicator, and roller assembly operations to Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG. The two companies also expanded their NEXPRESS Joint Venture, which was created in 1989. ♦ The company announced New DURALIFE Paper for snapshots set performance benchmarks for tear-resistance, durability, brightness/whiteness, image sharpness, and curl resistance. ♦ Kodak's Commercial & Government Systems business introduced an Earth-imaging digital camera capable of showing surface objects as small as one meter in length. ♦ Kodak and Lexmark International, Inc. teamed up to introduce the KODAK Personal Picture Maker for home printing of digital images.

♦ The Health Imaging business announced the KODAK DRYVIEW 8600 Laser Imaging System for mammography and three state-of-the-art digital radiography systems for capturing x-ray images. ♦ Kodak and Sanyo Electric Co. unveiled the world's first commercial model of a full-color, active matrix organic electroluminescent (OLED) display. 1999 Daniel A. Carp became Kodak's CEO in addition to his role as President. ♦ Kodak's Health Imaging unit introduced 45 new products during the year, including, KODAK INSIGHT Intraoral Dental Film, a dental radiography film that helped dentists reduce radiation exposure to patients while delivering excellent images, and two new digital radiography systems, the KODAK DirectView DR 9000 and DirectViewDR 5000. ♦ Kodak's Entertainment Imaging unit and Qualcomm Inc. launched an initiative to collaborate on testing, core technologies for the creation of a high-quality digital cinema system. ♦ At year-end, Kodak completed the acquisition of Lumisys, Inc., a leading provider of desktop computed radiography systems and x-ray film digitizers. 2000 Daniel A.

Carp became Kodak's Chairman in addition to his role as President and CEO. ♦ The company completed its acquisition of Bell & Howell Company's imaging businesses. ♦ Kodak announced a new worldwide advertising campaign, "Share Moments. Share Life." ♦ The KODAK EASYSHARE System, a new line of digital cameras and docking systems that set the standard for ease of use for digital photography, was launched. ♦ In June, the company acquired Ofoto, Inc., a leading online photography service. 2001 Kodak acquired Encad, Inc., a subsidiary focused on the wide-format inkjet printing industry. ♦ KODAK PERFECT TOUCH Processing was introduced. It improved sharpness, contrast and color in photographic prints by individually scanning and digitally processing each picture. ♦ The company introduced the KODAK 8500 Digital Photo Printer, a photo-quality, thermal desktop printer. ♦ Low-volume KODAK i200 Series Scanners featured much of the technology found in Kodak’s higher-speed scanners, plus the market’s first dockable flatbed accessory ♦ Kodak and Sanyo Electric Co.

unveiled a prototype of a fifteen-inch flat-panel display based on Kodak's patented organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology. ♦ The company unveiled KODAK VISION2 Motion Picture Color Negative Film, a descendant of the VISION Films which were introduced in 1995 and quickly became the most widely used motion-picture films in the world. 2002 The KODAK EASYSHARE Printer Dock 6000, which enabled consumers to produce durable, borderless 4" x 6" KODAK Prints at home, was introduced. ♦ New digital cameras included the KODAK EASYSHARE LS633 Zoom Digital Camera, the first digital camera to feature an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, and the KODAK EASYSHARE DX6490 Camera for advanced amateur photographers..

♦ Kodak made several acquisitions including PracticeWorks, Inc., a provider of dental practice management software; 20% of Lucky Film Co., Ltd., the largest maker of photo film headquartered in China; Laser-Pacific Media Corporation, a provider of post-production services for filmmakers; Algotec Systems Ltd., developer of picture archiving and communications systems for the health industry; and Applied Science Fiction's Digital PIC rapid film processing technology. ♦ Antonio M. Perez joined the company as President and Chief Operating Officer. ♦ The company unveiled a new digitally oriented strategy to expand into a range of commercial businesses. 2003 KODAK EASYSHARE Digital Cameras ranked highest in the J.D. Power and Associates 2004 Digital Camera Satisfaction Study for the $200-$399 and $400-$599 price segments. ♦ Kodak became sole owner of the former NEXPRESS Joint Venture (centered on electrophotographic variable-data printing systems), and Scitex Digital Printing (a leader in high-speed variable data inkjet printing). The latter was renamed Kodak Versamark, Inc.

♦ The company bought remaining shares of Chinon Industries, a digital camera manufacturer, acquired the imaging sensor business of National Semiconductor, and formed an alliance with IBM to manufacture CMOS image sensors. ♦ To more closely focus on its growth areas, Kodak sold its Remote Sensing Systems business, which served defense and aerospace customers, to ITT Industries. ♦ Construction began on a manufacturing facility at Kodak's Windsor, Colorado site to expand capacity for thermal media used in products like Kodak's popular picture kiosks. ♦ The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval for Kodak's innovative mammography computer-aided detection system designed to aid radiologists in early detection of breast cancer. ♦ KODAK Ultima Picture Paper, with COLORLAST technology, was introduced. When used with the latest inks, photos printed on this inkjet paper will last for more than 100 years in typical home display. 2004 The EASYSHARE-ONE Zoom Digital Camera provided an unprecedented ability to hold up to 1,500 pictures for instant display and to wirelessly transmit images for printing, e-mailing or online viewing.

♦ Smaller than a deck of playing cards, EASYSHARE V-Series Cameras offered the ability to take print-quality still images from video, or torecord up to 80 continuous minutes of TV-quality videos with sound. ♦ The company's OFOTO Online Photo Service changed its name to KODAK EASYSHARE Gallery. ♦ Kodak acquired OREX Computed Radiography Ltd., a leading provider of compact computed radiography systems that digitally acquire x-ray images. ♦ Continuing to grow its Graphic Communications business, the company became sole owner of former joint venture Kodak Polychrome Graphics and acquired Creo Inc.— a premier supplier of prepress and workflow systems. ♦ New offerings for the graphics industry included the KODAK Enterprise Management Solution for business workflow, and the KODAK VERSAMARK VX5000e printing system which offered an effective resolution twice that previously available with continuous inkjet printheads. ♦ Antonio M. Perez became Kodak CEO, in addition to his role as President. ♦ Kodak announced availability of the first CMOS image sensor (CIS) devices to come from its manufacturing alliance with IBM.

♦ Kodak introduced molecular imaging systems that, through a non-invasive procedure, help identify molecular abnormalities that signal disease at a very early stage. At this point the systems are not intended for human use, but they will aid laboratory researchers in fields like cancer study. ♦ The world's first 39 million pixel image sensor, the KODAK KAF-39000 Image Sensor, was introduced. ♦ Strengthening its leading position in retail printing, Kodak introduced the KODAK Picture Kiosk G4, offering faster uploading and printing of images. 2005 Antonio M. Perez became Chairman of Kodak, in addition to his role as CEO. ♦ New cameras included: the world's first dual-lens digital still camera, the KODAK EASYSHARE V570 Zoom Digital Camera; the KODAK EASYSHARE V610 dual lens digital camera, the world's smallest camera to feature a 10x optical zoom; and the KODAK EASYSHARE V705 dual-lens digital camera, the world's smallest ultra-wide-angle optical zoom digital camera. ♦ Kodak updated its brand logo, providing a fresh, contemporary look for today's digital world.

♦ Kodak and Motorola entered a global product, cross-licensing and marketing alliance around mobile imaging. ♦ The KODAK Scan Station 100 allowed office workers to simultaneously scan, store and share documents on an office network, and send them anywhere — without a computer. ♦ Enhanced KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA Color Negative Films, for professional photographers, delivered finer grain, spectacular skin tones and superb color in mixed lighting conditions. ♦ Kodak celebrated the 10th anniversary of the first thermal computer-to-plate system for imaging printing plates. The Kodak system uses heat to digitally image plates, a departure from earlier systems that used light. The faster turnaround times, lower cost and improved quality provided by thermal technology continue to benefit commercial printers today. 2006 Kodak provided an alternative to the high-cost of inkjet printing, introducing KODAK EASYSHARE All-In-One Printers to affordably print crisp, sharp documents and Kodak lab-quality photos using premium pigment-based inks. ♦ KODAK EASYSHARE Digital Picture Frames were introduced, giving consumers an easy and exciting way to play slideshows of favorite pictures and videos – even set to music.

♦ Two new offerings expanded the KODAK NEXPRESS Platform of digital color printing presses, making it easier for commercial print providers to enter - or grow their presence in - the digital printing market. ♦ Kodak completed the sale of its Health Group to an affiliate of Onex Corporation of Canada. ♦ The KODAK TRACELESS System –designed to protect against counterfeiting of items like tickets, documents, and luxury goods – was launched. Invisible markers are embedded in a product or label. Kodak readers then detect these markers to verify authenticity. ♦ Kodak installed its 10,000th computer-to-plate (CTP) device, further cementing its position as a technology leader in this printing market. ♦ Kodak announced a groundbreaking advance in image sensor technology – a filter pattern array that provides a 2X to 4X increase in light sensitivity versus current sensor designs. ♦ Kodak introduced its first camera featuring the company's innovative CMOS image sensor technology. The KODAK EASYSHARE C513 Digital Camera offered 5-megapixel resolution for under $100.

♦ The KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System was introduced for the packaging industry, providing near-offset print quality on flexible films, foil, labels and other packaging materials. ♦ Kodak launched KODAK PROFESSIONAL T-MAX 400 Black-and-White Film, offering photographers a level of clarity normally available only from 100-speed film. ♦ A new generation of color motion picture film – KODAK VISION3 Film – was introduced, improving exposure in brightest highlights and darkest shadows. 2007 Kodak received its ninth Oscar® statuette, this time for developing emulsions for KODAK VISION2 Color Negative Films for the motion picture industry. ♦ Kodak launched the APEX system, a dry lab solution for retailers to produce photographic prints, photo books, cards, and other custom photo items. ♦ Using the new KODAK TRUESENSE CMOS pixel and recent color filter pattern technology, Kodak introduced the world's first 1.4 micron, 5 megapixel sensor – designed for consumer applications like mobile phones. ♦ KODAK CCD Image Sensors were used on the space shuttle Discovery to help assess the orbiter's exterior before reentry.

♦ Motorola announced the MOTOZINE ZN5, a camera phone featuring KODAK Imaging Technology for convenient, high quality picture-taking. ♦ Kodak introduced the first 50 million pixel CCD image sensor, offering unprecedented resolution and detail for professional photography. ♦ Kodak introduced high-definition (HD)-enabled products including The KODAK Zi6 Pocket Video Camera for easy shooting and sharing of videos. ♦ KODAK PROFESSIONAL EKTAR 100, offering the finest grain of any color negative film, was launched. ♦ Wireless versions of Kodak's consumer inkjet printers – the Kodak ESP 7 and ESP 9 AiO Printers – were introduced. By year end, more than one million Kodak AiO printers had been sold to consumers since the product's 2007 introduction. 2008 Kodak's single-use camera recycling program reached the milestone of recycling 1.5 billion cameras, including both Kodak and competitive models. ♦ Kodak's breakthrough Stream commercial inkjet technology – which delivers offset class, variable data printing – entered the market under the KODAK PROSPER family name.

The first product available was the KODAK PROSPER S10 Imprinting System, a printhead for use on existing presses. ♦ Kodak continued to grow its line of popular pocket video cameras, introducing the KODAK Zi8 Pocket Video Camera offering full 1080p High Definition video capture. ♦ KODACHROME Color Film was retired, concluding its 74-year run as a photography icon. ♦ The KODAK EASYSHARE S730 Digital Picture Frame, featuring a rechargeable battery that lets you unplug the frame and pass it around for easy viewing – was introduced. ♦ Kodak acquired the document scanner division of BÖWE BELL + HOWELL, a leading supplier of document scanners to value-added resellers, system integrators and end users. ♦ Kodak subsidiary Cinesite won an Emmy® Award for "Special Visual Effects for a TV Special or Miniseries" for its work on the HBO production "Generation Kill." ♦ Kodak announced it will sell the assets of its OLED business to a group of LG companies. 2009 New Kodak consumer products promoted ease of sharing pictures.

Offerings included the KODAK PULSE Digital Frame – featuring an e-mail address to receive images from KODAK Gallery, Facebook and e-mail messages – and new KODAK EASYSHARE Digital Cameras – featuring a unique Share Buttonthat let users tag pictures for e-mailing and uploading to popular sharing sites or the PULSE Frame. ♦ The KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera was the first waterproof offering in Kodak's popular line of consumer pocket video cameras ♦ KODAK TRILLIAN SP Thermal Plates were introduced, providing outstanding quality, efficiency, and environmental benefits for offset printing. ♦ The first full PROSPER Presses – the monochrome KODAK PROSPER 1000 Press and the color KODAK PROSPER 5000 Press – entered the market. ♦ KODAK Picture Saver Scanning Systems were introduced to enable retailers and niche marketers to help consumers digitize photo prints, keepsake documents and other "printed memories." ♦ The KODAK ESP Office 6150 All-in-One Inkjet Printer, with connectivity to print from multiple sources, brought Kodak's revolutionary affordable ink to home-based businesses.

♦ Kodak continued to innovate in film, introducing KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA 400 Film – which features the finest grain structure available in a 400 speed color negative film – and making KODAK PROFESSIONAL EKTAR 100 Film available in large formats. ♦ Retired Kodak researcher Steve Sasson received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation for invention of the digital camera in 1975. It is the highest U.S. honor for scientists, engineers and inventors. ♦ Kodak announced the highest resolution interline transfer CCD image sensor for demanding applications like industrial inspection, aerial photography and security. ♦ The 100th KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System – an innovative platemaking solution for the printing of flexible packaging materials – was installed. 2010 Kodak introduced its first waterproof digital still camera, the KODAK EASYSHARE SPORT Camera. ♦ New offerings were launched to meet the growing demand for high-quality photo books and other photo products.

The KODAK NEXPRESS Photo Platform lets photo labs, commercial printers, and others digitally print such product offerings; KODAK PROFESSIONAL ENDURA EP-D and EP-L Papers provide the look and feel of photo paper when used in electrophotographic digital presses. ♦ Sharpening its operational focus, Kodak sold its Image Sensor Solutions (ISS) and Eastman Gelatine businesses, as well as parts of its microfilm products and equipment business. Kodak acquired the relief plates business of Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd., helping expand capabilities for flexographic/packaging markets. The unit operates as Yamanashi RPB Supply Company. ♦ KODAK Picture Kiosks were enhanced to allow users to access – and easily make prints or photo products from – the increasing number of images stored on social sites like Facebook. ♦ A wide-format version of the KODAK FLEXCEL NX System, used to produce plates for flexible packaging products, was introduced. It enables printing of larger materials or printing of multiple jobs at one time. ♦ A new generation of KODAK VERSAMARK Printing Systems – with a 40% smaller footprint than competitive systems – was introduced.

The units benefit transactional, newsletter, direct mail and newspaper printers where space is at a premium. ♦ Kodak shipped its 100 millionth digital still camera, placing the company among top manufacturers worldwide over the past 15 years. ♦ Kodak introduced a line of home inkjet printers – KODAK HERO All-in-One Printers – that combined high quality output with affordable ink. ♦ KODAK VISION3 50D Color Negative Film 5203/7203 was introduced, giving filmmakers more flexibility for shooting in natural or simulated daylight. 2011 Kodak entered Chapter 11 reorganization and embarked on a series of changes to focus the company on commercial markets. The changes included phasing out the digital capture business, and selling assets of the KODAK Gallery (on-line photo services) and Cinesite (Kodak's subsidiary for motion picture effects).

Toward year's end, the company announced agreements that would bring it approximately $525 million for sale of its digital imaging patents .♦ Ten new commercial technologies were introduced, including the KODAK PROSPER 6000XL Press, a commercial inkjet system capable of printing 1,000 feet per minute; the KODAK FLEXCEL Direct System, for producing in-the-round sleeves for flexographic package printing; and KODAK SONORA XP Process Free Plates that provide the quality, productivity and print capability of mainstream plates without processing equipment or chemistry. ♦ KODAK NEXPRESS Red Fluorescing Ink received the industry's prestigious 2012 Intertech Technology Award. The ink is virtually invisible when printed but shows up under ultraviolet light and is used for fraud protection on printed documents and promotions. ♦ Kodak negotiated new contracts for motion picture film with four key studios: NBC-Universal, Paramount, Disney and Warner Brothers. 2012 As part of its business reorganization, Kodak sold its consumer imaging patents and spun off its Personalized Imaging and Document Imaging businesses.

♦ As a first step into the functional printing market, Kodak entered agreements with two technology firms engaged in manufacturing touch-screen sensors. Each firm is pursuing a different Kodak technology for its offering. ♦ Key product introductions included the KODAK PROSPER 5000XLi Press, which continuously calculates imaging improvements to enhance quality and productivity; and KODAK PRINERGY Workflow 6, which automates the flow of work through a print shop. ♦ After entering new contracts with four of Hollywood's six major motion picture studios in 2012, in 2013 Kodak added new film supply agreements with the remaining two. ♦ KODAK NEXPRESS Gold Dry Ink was launched, enabling users of KODAK NEXPRESS Digital Production Color Presses to add attention-getting gold ink to printed pieces. ♦ Kodak relocated its Europe, Africa and Middle East Region headquarters and commercial demo center to a state-of-the-art building in Eysins (near Lausanne), Switzerland. ♦ Kodak installed its 300th KODAK FLEXCEL NX System. This digital flexographic platemaking system was introduced in 2008.

♦ On September 3, Kodak emerged from Chapter 11 reorganization as a technology company focused on imaging for business. ♦ Kodak and Bobst formed a strategic development agreement to integrate Kodak technology into the Bobst portfolio of packaging production equipment. ♦ James V. Continenza was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors. ♦ Kodak was relisted on the New York Stock Exchange under the new ticker symbol "KODK." 2013 On January 8, Kodak celebrated its recent relisting on the New York Stock Exchange by ringing the opening bell. ♦ Jeff Clarke was named Kodak's new CEO. ♦ To meet growing demand for KODAK SONORA Process Free Plates, Kodak announced plans to add manufacturing lines in China and the U.S. In July, the company marked its 1,000th customer to adopt use of the plates. ♦ Kodak introduced the industry's fastest full-color inkjet presses, the KODAK PROSPER 6000C and 6000P Presses, for commercial printing and publishing applications. ♦ New extensions to the KODAK FLEXCEL NX System were introduced for use in printing of corrugated packaging printing.

♦ The Kodak Technology Solutions unit was formed as an incubator to accelerate development of new technologies coming out of the Kodak Research Labs. ♦ Kodak opened a Technology Center in Shanghai to act as a showcase and demonstration/ training center for its print industry offerings. 2014 How Kodak Failed How Kodak Failed Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Full Bio The author is a Forbes contributor. The opinions expressed are those of the writer. Loading ... (Update 1-19-2012 — Kodak has filed for bankruptcy protection .) There are few corporate blunders as staggering as Kodak’s missed opportunities in digital photography, a technology that it invented. This strategic failure was the direct cause of Kodak’s decades-long decline as digital photography destroyed its film-based business model. A new book by my Devil’s Advocate Group colleague, Vince Barabba , a former Kodak executive, offers insight on the choices that set Kodak on the path to bankruptcy. Barabba’s book, “ The Decision Loom: A Design for Interactive Decision-Making in Organizations ,” also offers sage advice for how other organizations grappling with disruptive technologies might avoid their own Kodak moments.

Steve Sasson, the Kodak engineer who invented the first digital camera in 1975, characterized the initial corporate response to his invention this way: But it was filmless photography, so management’s reaction was, ‘that’s cute—but don’t tell anyone about it.’ via The New York Times (5/2/2008) Kodak management’s inability to see digital photography as a disruptive technology, even as its researchers extended the boundaries of the technology, would continue for decades. As late as 2007, a Kodak marketing video felt the need to trumpet that “Kodak is back “ and that Kodak “wasn’t going to play grab ass anymore” with digital. To understand how Kodak could stay in denial for so long, let me go back to a story that Vince Barabba recounts from 1981, when he was Kodak’s head of market intelligence. Around the time that introduced the first electronic camera, one of Kodak’s largest retailer photo finishers asked him whether they should be concerned about digital photography.

With the support of Kodak’s CEO, Barabba conducted a very extensive research effort that looked at the core technologies and likely adoption curves around silver halide film versus digital photography. The results of the study produced both “bad” and “good” news. The “bad” news was that digital photography had the potential capability to replace Kodak’s established film based business. The “good” news was that it would take some time for that to occur and that Kodak had roughly ten years to prepare for the transition. The study’s projections were based on numerous factors, including: the cost of digital photography equipment; the quality of images and prints; and the interoperability of various components, such as cameras, displays, and printers. All pointed to the conclusion that adoption of digital photography would be minimal and non-threatening for a time. History proved the study’s conclusions to be remarkably accurate, both in the short and long term. The problem is that, during its 10-year window of opportunity, Kodak did little to prepare for the later disruption.

In fact, Kodak made exactly the mistake that George Eastman, its founder, avoided twice before, when he gave up a profitable dry-plate business to move to film and when he invested in color film even though it was demonstrably inferior to black and white film (which Kodak dominated).

Question: Who invented the Kodak camera?
Answer: GEORGE EASTMAN