George eastman biography invention of the telephone

American entrepreneur, inventor, and lensman (–)

For other uses, see Martyr Eastman (disambiguation).

George Eastman (July 12, &#;&#; March 14, ) was an American entrepreneur who supported the Eastman Kodak Company plus helped to bring the detailed use of roll film come across the mainstream. After a period of experiments in photography, agreed patented and sold a blow up film camera, making amateur picturing accessible to the general common for the first time.^[1] Fundamental as the treasurer and consequent president of Kodak, he oversaw the expansion of the association and the film industry.

Eastman was a major philanthropist, installation the Eastman School of Penalty, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and schools of dentistry and medicine improve on the University of Rochester existing Eastman Dental Hospital at Academia College London, and making relaxed contributions to the Rochester College of Technology (RIT), the decoding of several buildings at honesty second campus of Massachusetts Institution of Technology (MIT) on excellence Charles River, and Tuskegee School and Hampton University, two historically black universities in the Southern. With interests in improving volatile, he provided funds for clinics in London and other Denizen cities to serve low-income inhabitants.

In his final two seniority, Eastman was in intense pulse caused by a disorder pitiable his spine. On March 14, , he shot himself check the heart, leaving a greenback which read, "To my friends: my work is done. Reason wait?"^[2]

Eastman is regarded as unified of the most influential pointer well-known residents of Rochester, Spanking York.^[3] He has been go to one\'s reward on several college campuses extract the Hollywood Walk of Reputation, and the George Eastman Museum has been designated a Special Historic Landmark.

Early life

Eastman was born in Waterville, New York,^[4] as the youngest child allowance George Washington Eastman and Region Eastman (née Kilbourn), at influence acre (&#;ha) farm which consummate parents had bought in Fair enough had two older sisters, Ellen Maria and Katie.^[5] He was largely self-educated, although he dishonest a private school in Metropolis after the age of eight.^[5]

In the early s his divine had started a business faculty, the Eastman Commercial College rotation Rochester, New York. The power point became one of the leading "boomtowns" in the United States, based on its rapid industrialization.^[5] As his father's health begun deteriorating, the family gave idea the farm and moved adopt Rochester in ^[5] His priest died of a brain wire on April 27, To live on and afford George's schooling, queen mother took in boarders.^[5]

The in the second place daughter, Katie, had contracted poliomyelitis when young and died block out late when George was 15 years old. The young Martyr left school early and begun working to help support primacy family. As Eastman began make somebody's acquaintance have success with his taking photographs business, he vowed to answer his mother for the difficulties or suffering she had endured in fosterage him.^[6]

Career

See also: Kodak §&#;History

Founding slap Kodak

While working as a listen clerk in the s, Discoverer became interested in photography. Stern receiving lessons from George President and George Selden, he bright a machine for coating arid plates in ^[7] In , he founded the Eastman Disintegrate Plate Company with Henry Lean to sell plates, with Arduous as company president and Discoverer as treasurer, where he handled most executive functions.^[8] Around leadership same time, he began experiments to create a flexible tegument casing roll that could replace plates altogether. In , he acknowledged a patent for a pick up roll, and then focused overshadow creating a camera to give off the rolls.^[9] In , no problem patented and released the Kodak camera ("Kodak" being a term Eastman created).^[10] It was put up for sale loaded with enough roll single for exposures. When all honesty exposures had been made, birth photographer mailed the camera shortcoming to the Eastman company worry Rochester, along with $ Greatness company would process the pick up, make a print of reaching exposure, load another roll long-awaited film into the camera, endure send the camera and description prints to the photographer.^[11][12]

The detachment of photo-taking from the exhausting process of film development was novel and made photography build on accessible to amateurs than cunning before, and the camera was immediately popular with the accepted. By August , Eastman was struggling to meet orders, gleam he and his employees before long had several other cameras send down development.^[13] The rapidly-growing Eastman Run faster than Plate Company was reorganized orangutan the Eastman Company In ,^[14] and then incorporated as Industrialist Kodak in ^[15][16]

Growth of pick up industry

Eastman recognized that most make merry his revenue would come hold up the sale of additional ep rolls, rather than camera garage sale, and focused on film barter. By providing quality and lowcost film to every camera 1 Kodak managed to turn line into de facto business partners.^[17] In he patented the processes for the first nitrocellulose pick up along with chemist Henry Reichenbach.^[18] A number of patent borrowing lawsuits would preoccupy Eastman person in charge his lawyers in subsequent mature, including one from Reichenbach aft he was fired in ^[15] The largest lawsuit would make available from rival film producer Ansco. Inventor Hannibal Goodwin had filed a patent for nitrocellulose vinyl in , prior to Discoverer and Reichenbach's, but it was not granted until ^[19] Ansco purchased the patent in illustrious sued Kodak for infringement. Kodak ultimately lost the suit, which lasted over a decade swallow cost the company $5 Million.^[20][21]

Eastman paid close attention to Kodak's advertisements. He coined the catchword, “You press the button, phenomenon do the rest”, which became ubiquitous in the general public.^[22]

As Kodak pursued a monopoly interconnect film through patents and acquisitions, the company experienced rapid evolution. By , Kodak was integrity leading supplier of film intact internationally,^[14] and by , prestige company was the largest patron in Rochester, with over 8, employees and annual earnings spot $ Million. In , before long after Eastman's death, Kodak engaged 23,^[23] One of the most superbly markets for film became position emerging motion picture industry. Just as Thomas Edison and other ep producers formed the Motion Hold Patents Company in , Industrialist negotiated for Kodak to carbon copy sole supplier of film strut the industry.^[24] His monopolistic agilities attracted the attention of righteousness federal government, which began insinuation anti-trust investigation into Kodak block out for exclusive contracts, acquisitions trip competitors, and price-fixing. This resulted in a lawsuit against Kodak in and a final analysis in , ordering Kodak anticipate stop fixing prices and exchange many of its interests.^[25]

Kodak's sensitivity was sustained during the Ordinal century by new innovations display film and cameras, including class Brownie camera, which was marketed to children.^[26] Eastman took put under a spell in color photography in ,^[27] and funded experiments in timbre film production for the support decade. The resulting product, coined by John Capstaff, was clever two-color process named Kodachrome.^[28] Closest, in , Kodak would set the more famous second Kodachrome, the first marketed integral tripack film.^[29] During World War Uproarious, Eastman established a photographic primary in Rochester to train pilots for aerial reconnaissance.^[30]

In an crop of growing trade union activities, Eastman sought to counter goodness union movement by anticipating accomplice demands. To this end, good taste implemented a number of hand benefit programs, including a good fund to provide workmen's benefit in and a profit-sharing syllabus for all employees in ^[16][31][32]

Personal life

Eastman never married. He was close to his mother contemporary to his sister Ellen Mare and her family. He locked away a long platonic relationship run off with Josephine Dickman, a trained soloist and the wife of line of work associate George Dickman. He became especially close to Dickman rearguard the death of his be quiet, Maria Eastman, in He was also an avid traveler, enjoyed music and social gatherings, limit had a passion for live the piano.^[5]

The loss of potentate mother, Maria, was particularly stifling to George. Almost pathologically trouble with decorum, he found human being, for the first time, unfit to control his emotions speak the presence of his business. "When my mother died Uncontrollable cried all day", he spoken later. "I could not keep stopped to save my life." Due to his mother's dislike to accept his gifts, Inventor could never do enough edify his mother during her life. He continued to honor gibe after her death. On Sep 4, , he opened integrity Eastman Theatre in Rochester, which included a chamber-music hall, Kilbourn Theater, dedicated to his mother's memory. At the Eastman Podium he maintained a rose chaparral, using a cutting from prepare childhood home.^[6]

Later years

Eastman was out presidential elector in ^[33] essential ^[34] In , Eastman supported the Bureau of Municipal Digging in Rochester to gather folder and make government policy recommendations. The agency was later renamed the Center for Governmental Evaluation and continues to carry rearrange that mission.^[35] In , Discoverer and the Bureau supported span referendum to change Rochester's reach a decision to a city manager organized whole, which passed.^[36]

In , Eastman long-established the Eastman Savings and Fee to provide financial services locate Kodak employees. The institution was later rechartered as ESL Combined Credit Union.^[37]

In the s, Discoverer was involved in calendar meliorate and supported the month fortified year International Fixed Calendar erudite by Moses B. Cotsworth.^[38] Muse January 17, , Eastman greeting Cotsworth to his home; powder had been introduced to Cotsworth's calendar by a mutual observer and was interested in blue blood the gentry system. He secretly funded Cotsworth for a year and fortify openly supported him and nobleness month plan. Eastman took top-hole major role in planning existing financing the campaign for copperplate new global calendar, and extremely headed the National Committee clash Calendar Simplification, in the Pooled States, which was created schoolwork the behest of the Combination of Nations. Eastman supported Cotsworth's campaign until his death.^[39]

Eastman wrote several articles to promote character month system, including "Problems past it Calendar Improvement" in Scientific American^[40][41] and "The Importance of Plan Reform to the Business World" in Nation's Business.^[42] By , the Kodak Company implemented high-mindedness calendar in its business canonical, and continued to use well supplied until He was chairman read the National Committee on Docket Simplification.^[43] Although a conference was held at the League run through Nations in , with her highness death and the looming tensions of World War II, that calendar was dropped from consideration.^[44][45]

In Eastman gave up his routine management of Kodak and authoritatively retired as president. He remained associated with the company tenuous a business executive capacity, likewise the chairman of the mark, until his death.^[46]

Philanthropy

During his life, Eastman donated $&#;million to assorted organizations, becoming one of primacy major philanthropists in the Allied States during his lifetime.^[47][48] largest donations went to magnanimity University of Rochester and command somebody to the Massachusetts Institute of Study to build their programs have a word with facilities. Preferring to remain unfamiliar, he made donations under blue blood the gentry alias "Mr. Smith". In , he endowed the establishment pick up the check the Eastman School of Sound at the University of Metropolis, and in a school countless medicine and dentistry there. Populate , he founded the Metropolis Philharmonic Orchestra, hiring its premier music director Albert Coates.^[49] Figured for its value in , the year of Eastman's surround, $ million is equivalent fulfil more than $2 billion suggestion ^[50]

In , Eastman provided financial assistance for the establishment of greatness Eastman Dental Dispensary in Rochester.^[51] He donated £, in predict fund a dental clinic look onto London after being approached incite the chairman of the Speak Free Hospital, George Riddell, Ordinal Baron Riddell. Donations of £50, each had been made from one side to the ot Lord Riddell and the Imperial Free honorary treasurer. On Nov 20, , the UCL Artificer Dental Institute opened in regular ceremony attended by Neville Statesman, then Minister of Health, squeeze the American Ambassador to character UK. The clinic was fused into the Royal Free Clinic and was committed to fitting out dental care for disadvantaged breed from central London. It not bad now a part of Practice College London.^{[52][page&#;needed]} In he supported the George Eastman Visiting Office at Oxford, to be reserved each year by a distinct American scholar of the topmost distinction. Eastman also funded Eastmaninstitutet, a dental care clinic engage children opened in in Stockholm, Sweden.^[53]

Views on race

Marion Gleason, on the rocks close confidante of Eastman, closest described his views on Individual Americans as "typical of cap time – paternalistic, but severely against social fraternization."^[54] Although recognized made generous donations to position Hampton Institute and Tuskegee Institute,^[55] becoming their largest donor suspend his era,^[56] he also upheld and reinforced the de facto segregation which existed in Town. Kodak hired virtually no hazy employees during Eastman's lifetime, tolerate a commission of the Another York State Legislature on keep conditions of African Americans organize that Kodak had only top-notch single black employee.^[57] The Inventor Dental Dispensary also rejected inky applicants, and the Eastman Short-lived restricted black patrons to corruption balcony. Eastman rejected several requests to meet with NAACP representatives, including a direct appeal stay away from president Walter White in ^[56]

From until his death, Eastman complimentary $10, per year to honourableness American Eugenics Society (increasing birth donation to $15, in ), a popular cause among several of the upper class what because there were concerns about migration and "race mixing".^[56][58]

Infirmity and suicide

In his final two years, Industrialist was in intense pain payable to a disorder affecting authority spine. He had trouble perception, and his walk became neat slow shuffle. Today, it firmness be diagnosed as a suggest of degenerative disease such type disc herniations from trauma assortment age causing either painful courage root compressions, or perhaps keen type of lumbar spinal stricture, a narrowing of the spinal canal caused by calcification undecorated the vertebrae. Since his native suffered during the final span years of her life make money on a wheelchair,^[6] she also can have had a spine espouse but that is uncertain. her uterine cancer and turn out well surgery are documented in cobble together health history.^[5]

As a result realize his pain, Eastman suffered stranger depression. On March 14, , Eastman died by suicide pertain to a single gunshot through glory heart. His suicide note turn, "To my friends, my thought is done – Why wait? GE."^[2]

Raymond Granger, an insurance retailer in Rochester, was visiting pick up collect insurance payments from a few members of the staff. Flair arrived at the scene erect find the workforce shocked predominant upset. At least one scorekeeper said that Eastman's fear ensnare senility or other debilitating diseases of old age was elegant contributing factor to his action.^[59]

Eastman's funeral was held at Loving. Paul's Episcopal Church in Rochester; his coffin was carried signal your intention to Charles Gounod's "Marche Romaine". It was buried in rendering grounds of the company dirt founded, at what is acquaint with known as Eastman Business Park.^[60]

The Security Trust Company of City was the executor of Eastman's estate.^[61] His entire estate was bequeathed to the University disrespect Rochester.^[62]

Legacy

Eastman disdained public notoriety ray sought to tightly control cap image. He was reluctant relate to share information in interviews, come first on multiple occasions both Inventor and Kodak blocked biographers give birth to full access to his annals. A definitive biography was at length published in ^[56][63]

Eastman is distinction only person represented by four stars in the Film session in the Hollywood Walk pointer Fame, one on the northernmost side of the block complete Hollywood Boulevard and the attention one on the west eco-friendly of the block of Plant Street. Both recognize the exact achievement, that he developed platitude paper, which became a customary of the film industry.^[64][65]

The Inventor Quadrangle of the River Lettered of the University of Metropolis is named for Eastman.^[66] Position Rochester Institute of Technology has a building dedicated to him, in recognition of his provide backing and substantial donations. MIT installed a plaque of Eastman vary one of the buildings elegance funded. (Students rub the conk of Eastman's image on righteousness plaque for good luck.)^[55]

Eastman challenging built a mansion at Orient Avenue in Rochester. Here significant entertained friends to dinner scold held private music concerts. Goodness University of Rochester used grandeur mansion for various purposes be directed at decades after his death. Train in , it re-opened after taking accedence been adapted for use since the George Eastman House Global Museum of Photography and Ep. It has been designated a-ok National Historic Landmark,^[67] and testing now known as the Martyr Eastman Museum.

Eastman's boyhood fine was saved from destruction. Entrails was restored to its board during his childhood and keep to displayed at the Genesee Nation Village and Museum.^[68]

Patents

• U.S. patent , "Method and Apparatus for Color Plates", filed September , roll in April
• U.S. patent , "Photographic Film", filed May 10, , issued October 14,
• U.S. unambiguous , "Photographic Film", filed Strut 7, , issued October 14,
• U.S. patent , (with William H. Walker) "Roll Holder fit in Photographic Films", filed August , issued May
• U.S. patent , "Camera", filed March , be stricken September
• Eastman licensed, then purchased U.S. patent , "Photographic Apparatus" (roll film holder), filed June 21, , issued October 11, , to David H. Houston.

Honors and commemorations

• In he was awarded the American Institute of Chemists Gold Medal.
• In , the Martyr Eastman Monument at Kodak Stand-in (now Eastman Business Park) was unveiled.^[69]
• On July 12, , justness U.S. Post Office issued dialect trig three-cent commemorative stamp marking birth th anniversary of Eastman's outset, which was first issued nondescript Rochester, New York.^[70]
• Also in , to commemorate Eastman's th overindulge, the University of Rochester erected a meridian marker near class center of Eastman Quadrangle tie up the campus of the Introduction of Rochester using a applause from Eastman's former associate move University alumnus Charles F. Hutchison.^[71]
• In the fall of , smart statue of Eastman was erected approximately 60 feet (18&#;m) polar by northeast of the zenith marker on the Eastman Square of the University of Rochester.
• In , the George Eastman The boards was designated a National Customary Landmark.
• The auditorium at the Dave C. Swalm School of Inorganic Engineering at Mississippi State Medical centre is named for Eastman, market recognition of his inspiration like Swalm.
• In , Eastman was inducted into the International Photography Entry-way of Fame and Museum.^[72]

Representation play a role other media

• PBSAmerican Experience produced doublecross episode entitled The Wizard signify Photography: The story of Martyr Eastman and how he transformed photography. It first aired Possibly will 22, ^[73]
• Several short documentary pictures about his life have bent made and shown at magnanimity George Eastman Museum in Rochester.

See also

References

Further reading

External links