# Kodak

> American company

**Wikidata**: [Q486269](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q486269)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodak)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kodak

## Summary
Kodak, formally known as the Eastman Kodak Company, is an American multinational corporation founded in 1880, widely recognized for revolutionizing photography through innovations such as roll film, the Kodak camera, and the iconic slogan "You press the button – we do the rest." The company has played a pivotal role in shaping the photography and imaging industries, transitioning from analog to digital technologies while maintaining its legacy in traditional film and chemical processes.

## Key Facts
- Founded: 1880 (inception)
- Headquarters: Rochester, New York, USA
- Industry: Photography, Imaging, Chemicals, Consumer Electronics
- Founders: George Eastman, Henry A. Strong
- Notable Products: Kodak cameras, Ektachrome, Eastmancolor, instant film, Kodak DCS series (digital cameras)
- Key Innovations: Roll film, Kodak DCS 100 (first digital camera), Keykode, ProPhoto RGB color space, FlashPix
- Notable Awards: Academy Scientific and Technical Award, Academy Award for Technical Achievement, Silver Anvil Award
- Subsidiaries: Kodak Alaris, Kodak Express, Kodak Professional, among others
- Revenue: $1.117 billion (as of recent reports)
- Net Profit: -$687 million (as of recent reports)
- Total Assets: $6.239 billion
- Employees: ~97,222
- Website: [kodak.com](https://www.kodak.com/), [kodakmoments.com](https://www.kodakmoments.com/)
- Industry Classifications: Q1439700 (Photography), Q107598010 (Chemical industry), Q207652 (Consumer electronics)
- Affiliations: Member of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
- Notable Historical Role: Provided photographic systems for NASA's space missions, including the Chandra X-ray Observatory and KH-series reconnaissance satellites
- Notable for: First digital camera (Kodak DCS 100), development of Ektachrome film, and innovations in motion picture film technology
- Key People: George Eastman (founder), Henry A. Strong (co-founder)
- Major Trademarks: Kodak, Ektachrome, Ektar, Portra, T-MAX
- Digital Transition: Pioneered digital photography with the DCS series, including the Kodak DCS 100, one of the first digital cameras
- Legacy: Inventor of roll film, the first practical camera for the masses, and a major force in democratizing photography

## FAQs
**What is Kodak known for?**
Kodak is known for revolutionizing photography through the invention of roll film and the first practical Kodak camera, making photography accessible to the general public. The company later pioneered digital imaging technology and was a major force in the development of motion picture film and digital cameras.

**Who founded Kodak and when?**
Kodak was founded in 1880 by George Eastman, Henry A. Strong, and other early investors. George Eastman is particularly credited with the invention of roll film and the Kodak camera, which transformed photography from a professional niche to a mainstream activity.

**What are some of Kodak's major innovations?**
Kodak's major innovations include the invention of roll film, the first practical Kodak camera, the Kodak DCS 100 (one of the first digital cameras), Ektachrome film, and the development of the ProPhoto RGB color space and FlashPix file format.

**What awards has Kodak received?**
Kodak has received multiple awards, including the Academy Scientific and Technical Award, Academy Award for Technical Achievement, and the Silver Anvil Award for public relations excellence.

**What products and services does Kodak offer today?**
Kodak offers a range of products including traditional film, instant film, digital cameras (like the DCS series), photochemicals, and imaging services. It also provides commercial printing solutions and continues to support legacy film formats for enthusiasts.

**What role did Kodak play in space exploration?**
Kodak played a significant role in space exploration by providing photographic systems for NASA missions, including the Chandra X-ray Observatory and reconnaissance satellites like the KH-8 Gambit 3 and KH-7 Gambit.

**What is Kodak's current financial status?**
Kodak has reported a net loss in recent years, with a net profit of -$687 million and total assets of $6.239 billion. The company has undergone significant restructuring and digital transformation to adapt to market changes.

**What is Kodak's connection to the digital age?**
Kodak was a pioneer in digital photography, developing the first digital camera (Kodak DCS 100) in collaboration with NASA. Despite its early lead, the company struggled to transition from analog to digital, leading to a shift in focus towards commercial print and imaging services.

**What are some notable Kodak products?**
Notable Kodak products include Ektachrome film, Kodak DCS series digital cameras, instant film, and the Kodak Portra film series. The company also developed the ProPhoto RGB color space and FlashPix file format.

**What is Kodak's legacy in the film industry?**
Kodak's legacy in the film industry includes the development of the first practical camera and roll film, which democratized photography. The company also played a significant role in motion picture film technology, contributing to the golden age of cinema.

## Why It Matters
Kodak matters because it fundamentally transformed the field of photography, making it accessible to the masses through innovations like the Kodak camera and roll film. Its legacy spans over a century, from pioneering analog photography to contributing to early digital imaging technology. Despite facing challenges in the digital transition, Kodak's influence on visual storytelling, space exploration, and the motion picture industry remains profound. Its innovations laid the groundwork for modern photography, film, and digital imaging, impacting how we document and share visual experiences globally.

## Notable For
- Inventing the first practical roll film and Kodak camera, revolutionizing amateur photography
- Being one of the first companies to develop a digital camera (Kodak DCS 100)
- Pioneering the use of photography in space with NASA missions
- Developing Ektachrome and Portra film, which became industry standards
- Creating the ProPhoto RGB color space, widely used in digital imaging
- Receiving multiple Academy Awards for technical achievements in filmmaking
- Innovating the FlashPix file format for digital image storage
- Playing a foundational role in the development of motion picture film
- Establishing the first photography laboratory in the U.S.
- Developing the first commercially successful instant film camera
- Being a major supplier of film and imaging products to NASA and the U.S. military
- Creating the Kodak Tower, an iconic skyscraper in Rochester, New York
- Developing the first commercially viable color film process, Eastmancolor
- Pioneering the use of key numbers (Keykode) for film synchronization
- Being a founding force in the commercialization of photography

## Body
### History
Kodak was founded in 1880 by George Eastman and Henry A. Strong in Rochester, New York. Eastman, an entrepreneur and inventor, revolutionized photography by developing the first practical roll film and the Kodak camera, which made photography accessible to the general public. The company's early innovations included the first commercially successful camera with a built-in film cassette, reducing costs and improving convenience for consumers. Kodak's slogan, "You press the button – we do the rest," encapsulated its mission to simplify photography for everyday users. The company expanded globally, establishing the first photography laboratory in the U.S. and playing a foundational role in the development of motion picture film. Kodak's innovations extended into space exploration, providing photographic systems for NASA missions, including the Chandra X-ray Observatory and reconnaissance satellites like the KH-8 Gambit 3 and KH-7 Gambit.

### Key Innovations and Products
Kodak's major innovations include:
- **Roll Film**: Developed in 1888, this replaced cumbersome sheets of film, making cameras more portable and easier to use.
- **Kodak Camera**: The first practical Kodak camera, introduced in 1888, revolutionized photography by eliminating the need for darkrooms.
- **Eastmancolor**: A trade name and color process for film that became widely used in the motion picture industry.
- **Ektachrome**: A family of daylight-balanced professional color negative films.
- **Portra**: A family of professional color negative films known for their high quality and color fidelity.
- **Kodak DCS 100**: One of the first digital cameras, developed in collaboration with NASA.
- **ProPhoto RGB Color Space**: A photographic color space developed by Kodak for high dynamic range imaging.
- **FlashPix**: A file format developed by Kodak for digital image storage.
- **Keykode**: An advancement on edge numbers developed by Eastman Kodak Company for film synchronization.

### Awards and Recognition
Kodak has received numerous awards for its contributions to photography and filmmaking, including:
- **Academy Scientific and Technical Award**: Recognizing Kodak's innovations in film and imaging technology.
- **Academy Award for Technical Achievement**: Acknowledging Kodak's role in advancing motion picture technology.
- **Silver Anvil Award**: Granted by the Public Relations Society of America for excellence in public relations.

### Digital Transition and Legacy
Kodak's transition to digital imaging was marked by the development of the Kodak DCS series, including the DCS 100, one of the first digital cameras. Despite its early lead in digital photography, Kodak struggled to transition from analog to digital, leading to a shift in focus towards commercial print and imaging services. The company's innovations laid the groundwork for modern photography, film, and digital imaging, impacting how we document and share visual experiences globally.

### Notable People
- **George Eastman**: Founder of Eastman Kodak Company, inventor of roll film and the Kodak camera.
- **Henry A. Strong**: Co-founder of Eastman Kodak Company, instrumental in the company's early development.
- **Donald Hornig**: A presidential science advisor and chemist associated with Kodak.
- **Dorothea Jameson**: An American neuropsychologist affiliated with Kodak.
- **Antony John Williams**: A Welsh chemist associated with Kodak.
- **Glenn Curtiss**: An American aviator and industrialist linked to Kodak.
- **Maximilian Herzberger**: A German mathematician and physicist associated with Kodak.

### Affiliations and Industry Impact
Kodak has been a member of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and has played a foundational role in the development of motion picture film. The company's innovations extended into space exploration, providing photographic systems for NASA missions, including the Chandra X-ray Observatory and reconnaissance satellites like the KH-8 Gambit 3 and KH-7 Gambit. Kodak's contributions to the film industry include the development of the first commercially viable color film process, Eastmancolor, and the creation of the Kodak Tower, an iconic skyscraper in Rochester, New York.

### Financial and Market Position
Kodak has reported a net loss in recent years, with a net profit of -$687 million and total assets of $6.239 billion. The company has undergone significant restructuring and digital transformation to adapt to market changes. Despite its challenges, Kodak's influence on visual storytelling, space exploration, and the motion picture industry remains profound.

### Legacy and Impact
Kodak's legacy spans over a century, from pioneering analog photography to contributing to early digital imaging technology. Its innovations laid the groundwork for modern photography, film, and digital imaging, impacting how we document and share visual experiences globally. The company's influence on visual storytelling, space exploration, and the motion picture industry remains profound, and its innovations continue to shape the industry today.

## References

1. Global LEI Index
2. [Waterstraat met Waterpoort in 1997.](https://www.collectiegelderland.nl/object/350ad070-10a5-aa64-ffbc-160ad38631b8)
3. [Source](https://apps.prsa.org/Awards/SilverAnvil/Search?sakeyword=6BW-8306A)
4. [Source](https://apps.prsa.org/Awards/SilverAnvil/Search?sakeyword=6BW-8510A)
5. [Source](https://apps.prsa.org/Awards/SilverAnvil/Search?sakeyword=6BW-8606A)
6. [Source](https://apps.prsa.org/Awards/SilverAnvil/Search?sakeyword=6BW-9502A02)
7. [Source](https://apps.prsa.org/Awards/SilverAnvil/Search?sakeyword=6BW-9612A)
8. [Source](https://apps.prsa.org/Awards/SilverAnvil/Search?sakeyword=6BE-0001A02)
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16. [Source](http://www.linux-usb.org/usb.ids)
17. [Filmtank van hout voor het ontwikkelen van films, vervaardigd door Kodak, 1902](https://www.collectiegelderland.nl/object/d7a43293-5877-a524-3866-38d95c4fd682)
18. BBC Things
19. [Source](https://www.kodak.com/corp/default.htm)
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21. GRID Release 2016-05-31
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23. [2020](https://www.gleif.org/content/4-lei-data/8-lei-mapping/1-download-bic-to-lei-relationship-files/bic_lei_gleif_v1_monthly_full_20200327.csv)
24. GRID Release 2017-01-10
25. Quora
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27. Carnegie Hall linked open data
28. Via P227 lookup with GND value from PM20 folder. 20th Century Press Archives
29. Source
30. [Kodak camera, Groot-Brittannië, circa 1932](https://www.collectiegelderland.nl/object/51c56d43-7b93-5f64-a5d3-37d6bbc956e7)
31. [Film in kleur en zwart-wit, stom, van reizen met ms. Colombia van de KNSM naar de West, 1934-1939. 1933](https://n2t.net/ark:/33862/collect/725155)
32. Golden
33. KBpedia
34. CollectieGelderland