George Eastman Collection

George Eastman, founder of Eastman Kodak
George Eastman, inventor of the Kodak box camera, with his signature. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

American industrialist George Eastman (1854-1932) who invented the modern photographic film in 1889
1699219 American industrialist George Eastman (1854-1932) who invented the modern photographic film in 1889, founder of Kodak company; (add.info)

USA, New York, Finger Lakes Region, Rochester, George Eastman House and International Museum of Photography, photo chemicals

Kodak Camera Giveaway
500, 000 thousand cameras are given away to children all over the US in 1929 as part of the Eastman Kodak celebration of the 50th anniversary of George Eastmans first patent in 1879

Section, the Eastman Theatre, Rochester, New York, 1925. The Eastman Theatre is a performance venue for music, dance and silent film funded by industrialist George Eastman and built in 1922

The Eastman Theatre, Rochester, New York, 1925. The Eastman Theatre is a performance venue for music, dance and silent film funded by industrialist George Eastman and built in 1922

Advertisement for Kodak Brownie box cameras, 1900. From 1888 the Kodak box camera took Eastmans coated paper roll film. From The Illustrated London News. (London, 4 August 1900)

Advertisement for Kodak cameras, 1890. From 1888 Kodak cameras took Eastmans coated paper roll film. From The Illustrated London News. (London, 20 September 1890)

Advertisement for Kodak cameras, 1893. This advertisement carries the famous slogan You press the button, we do the rest. From 1888 the Kodak box camera took Eastmans coated paper roll film

Diagram showing how to insert a Eastman negative film roll into a camera, 19th century
Diagram showing how to insert a Eastman negative film roll into a camera

North America, USA, New York, Rochester. George Eastman House, filament light bulbs
USA, New York, Rochester. George Eastman House, filament light bulbs

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George Eastman, the visionary founder of Eastman Kodak, revolutionized photography and brought it into the hands of everyday people. Born in New York, he established his company in Rochester, a city nestled within the picturesque Finger Lakes Region. Today, his legacy lives on at the George Eastman House and International Museum of Photography and Film. In 1925, an iconic moment took place at the Eastman Theatre in Rochester when George Eastman himself hosted a grand Kodak Camera Giveaway section. This event marked a milestone in democratizing photography as lucky attendees walked away with their very own cameras. From humble beginnings to global recognition, advertisements for Kodak Brownie box cameras flooded newspapers in 1900. These affordable devices allowed anyone to capture precious moments effortlessly. By 1890 and 1893 respectively, further ads showcased how Kodak cameras were becoming essential tools for capturing memories. The George Eastman House stands today as a testament to his ingenuity and passion for photography. Once his cherished home, it now houses an extensive collection that celebrates both historical and contemporary photographic artistry. Looking back to the late 19th century, diagrams illustrating how to insert an Eastman negative film roll into a camera reveal just how far technology has advanced since then. Yet even back then, George Eastman's innovations paved the way for future developments that would shape modern photography. George Eastman's impact on photography is immeasurable; he transformed it from an exclusive hobby reserved for professionals into something accessible to all. His contributions continue to inspire photographers around the world while reminding us of our ability to capture life's most beautiful moments through the lens of innovation.