Kodak

Kodak, officially the Eastman Kodak Company, is an American photography and imaging company founded by George Eastman and Henry A.

Kodak, officially the Eastman Kodak Company, is an American photography and imaging company. It was founded by George Eastman and Henry A. Strong and became a dominant manufacturer of film, cameras, and photographic supplies. The company is headquartered in Rochester, New York.

History

Kodak traces its origins to the Eastman Dry Plate Company and the later development of the Kodak camera and roll film. The Eastman Kodak Company was incorporated in 1892 and grew into a leading photography manufacturer. The company's success was built on making photography accessible to the masses through simple, affordable cameras and roll film.

Products and business

For much of the 20th century, Kodak sold cameras, film, lenses, processing chemicals, and related photographic equipment. The company became one of the world's largest film and camera manufacturers, and its products were widely used by amateur and professional photographers. In later years, Kodak expanded into digital imaging, printing systems, and advanced materials.

Digital transition and bankruptcy

Kodak helped develop digital camera technology in the 1970s, but it struggled as photography moved from film to digital formats. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2012 amid the collapse of its film business. After restructuring, Kodak refocused on commercial print, packaging, software, and advanced materials.

Brand and cultural impact

The Kodak name became closely associated with photography and popular visual culture, including the phrase “Kodak moment.” Its products helped make photography a mass-market activity, and the brand remains recognizable in Canada and worldwide.