Foundation and History

Eastman Kodak Company, commonly known as Kodak, was founded in 1888 by George Eastman in Rochester, New York, USA. Eastman revolutionized the photography industry by creating the first portable camera for consumers, making photography accessible to the average person with the slogan:

"You press the button, we do the rest."

Kodak became synonymous with film photography for over a century and was one of the most valuable brands in the 20th century.


👨‍💼 CEO and Leadership

As of 2025, the CEO of Kodak is Jim Continenza (appointed in February 2019).

Jim Continenza has been focusing on transforming Kodak from a traditional film company into a technology and advanced materials manufacturer, with efforts to revive its legacy through digital and industrial innovations.


📦 Kodak's Major Products

Kodak’s products have evolved over time. Here’s a breakdown.

🖼️ Photography and Imaging

  • Kodak Cameras (Classic film cameras & disposable cameras)

  • Kodak Film (Kodak Gold, Ektar, Portra series – still used by professionals)

  • Photo Printing Solutions

  • Instant Cameras (Kodak Mini Shot, Kodak Smile)

🖥️ Digital and Commercial Printing

  • Kodak Prinergy Workflow

  • Digital Presses (Kodak NexPress, Prosper)

  • Flexographic Equipment

🏭 Industrial & Advanced Materials

  • Printed Electronics

  • Motion Picture Films

  • Healthcare Imaging (X-ray film for hospitals)

📉 Business Evaluation: Rise, Fall, and Comeback Attempt

📈 The Rise (1900s - 1990s)

  • Dominated 90% of film and 85% of camera sales in the US.

  • Market cap peaked at $31 billion in the 1990s.

  • Employed over 140,000 people globally.

📉 The Fall (2000s)

  • Failed to adapt to the digital photography revolution.

  • Filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in 2012.

  • Sold off patents and several business units to stay afloat.

🔁 Comeback Strategy (2013–Present)

  • Rebranded as a commercial imaging and printing tech company.

  • Entered blockchain & pharmaceutical manufacturing briefly.

  • Investing in chemicals, film, and digital printing.

📷 Fun Facts About Kodak

  • Invented the first digital camera in 1975 – but shelved it to protect film sales.

  • Kodak moments became a cultural expression of capturing precious memories.

  • Its film was used in NASA’s Apollo 11 mission to photograph the moon.

    Conclusion

Kodak's story is a powerful example of innovation, dominance, missed opportunities, and resilience. From being a household name in film to attempting to reinvent itself in a digital era, Kodak continues to seek relevance through technology, imaging, and industrial services.