George Eastman Facts & Worksheets

George Eastman (1854-1932), an American entrepreneur, left an indelible mark on both the world of photography and philanthropy. He founded the Eastman Kodak Company, a pivotal moment in photographic history, introducing roll film cameras to the mainstream and democratizing amateur photography.

See the fact file below for more information about George Eastman, or you can download our 24-page George Eastman worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

BACKGROUND

• Eastman’s tireless efforts in perfecting and patenting roll film technology enabled countless individuals to capture moments and memories with ease, forever changing the way we perceive and interact with images.
• Beyond his groundbreaking contributions to photography, Eastman’s philanthropic endeavors were equally impactful. 
• His generosity extended to establishing educational institutions, such as the Eastman School of Music and funding schools of dentistry and medicine at prestigious universities. 
• Moreover, he supported initiatives to improve public health, funding clinics in Europe to aid low-income residents. 
• Despite his remarkable successes, Eastman’s final years were marred by intense physical suffering caused by a debilitating spinal disorder. 
• On March 14, 1932, in a moment of profound despair, he tragically took his own life, leaving behind a poignant note expressing the completion of his life’s work and questioning the necessity of prolonged suffering.
• George Eastman’s legacy endures as one of Rochester, New York’s most influential and revered figures. His contributions to photography, education, and public health continue to shape our world today. 
• Commemorated on college campuses, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and through institutions like the George Eastman Museum, his impact remains timeless and profound.

INVENTIONS

• When Eastman was 24, he planned to visit Santo Domingo and, on the recommendation of a coworker, chose to film the journey. However, the camera equipment was large, heavy, and expensive. He purchased all of the necessary stuff but never went on the trip. 
• Instead, he began to study ways to make photography less burdensome and more enjoyable for the average person. 
• After viewing a formula for a “dry plate” emulsion in a British book and receiving instruction from two local amateur photographers, Eastman developed a gelatin-based paper film and a mechanism for coating dry plates. 

FOUNDING KODAK

• After graduating from Rochester, New York’s public schools, Eastman briefly worked for an insurance firm and a bank. 
• In 1880, he mastered the technology of creating dry plates for photography and founded the Eastman Dry Plate and Film Company to manufacture them. 
• The first Kodak (a name he coined) camera hit the market in 1888. 
• It was a modest handheld box camera with a 100-exposure roll of film and paper negatives.
• When the film ran out, customers returned the entire camera to the manufacturer for developing, printing, and reloading; the company’s slogan was “You press the button, we do the rest.” 
• In 1889, Eastman produced roll film on a clear base, which has since been the film standard. In 1892, he reorganized the firm as the Eastman Kodak Company.
• Eight years later, he released the Brownie camera, designed for youngsters and priced at one dollar. By 1927, Eastman Kodak had a virtual stranglehold on the photographic industry in the United States, and has remained one of the largest American companies in its field.

KODAK PHOTOGRAPHY

• Following his departure from a banking position in April 1880 to pursue his photography venture, George Eastman collaborated with camera innovator William Hall Walker to create a groundbreaking roll-holder device, which significantly downsized and lowered the cost of cameras. 
• His introduction of the brand name Kodak in 1888, alongside the launch of the inaugural Kodak camera, exemplified Eastman’s commitment to product individuality and accessibility, later reflected in the renaming of his company to Eastman Kodak. 
• Eastman revolutionized the photographic process by introducing the catchy tagline “You press the button, we do the rest.” They simplified the process by offering to develop and return cameras to consumers when they finished using up the film.  
• By recruiting chemist Henry Reichenbach in 1889, Eastman aimed to revolutionize photography with flexible film, later adapted by Thomas Edison for motion-picture cameras. 
• Despite initial clientele consisting mainly of professional photographers and local retail outlets, Eastman sought expansion through partnerships with local investors like Henry Strong, leading to the establishment of the Eastman Dry Plate Company in 1881. 
• Amid challenges such as chemical obstacles and temporary factory closures, Eastman’s perseverance led to the refinement of his product line, including the introduction of paper and plastic roll film. 
• Recognizing the necessity of cultivating a new market, Eastman developed the affordable and user-friendly Kodak camera, a groundbreaking invention that not only transformed photography but also cemented his reputation as a pioneering entrepreneur in the United States.

THE BROWNIE CAMERA

• The Brownie camera was introduced in 1900 to attract new hobbyist photographers – youngsters — and, with a $1 price tag, it quickly became a favorite among the military. 
• Eastman also helped the military in other ways, such as producing unbreakable glass lenses for gas masks and a special camera for photographing planes during World War I.

PHILANTHROPY

• Although his corporation was effectively a monopoly for many years, Eastman was not your typical corporate industrialist. 
• He was one of the first American entrepreneurs to adopt and implement the concept of employee profit sharing in the United States, and he also gave a direct donation of his own money to each of his employees. 
• In 1919, he introduced what are now known as stock options.
• His philanthropy went beyond his own firm, as he donated to M.I.T. and the struggling Mechanics Institute of Rochester, which later became the Rochester Institute of Technology. 
• His admiration for education in general drove him to support the University of Rochester, including the Hampton and Tuskegee Institutes. “The progress of the world depends primarily upon education,” he added.
• His efforts encompassed dental facilities in both Rochester and Europe.
• “According to medical research,” stated the doctor, “children can significantly enhance their prospects in life by maintaining proper oral hygiene during the critical stage of childhood, resulting in improved aesthetics, better overall health, and increased vitality.”
•  During his lifetime, Eastman is said to have donated more than $100 million of his money to humanitarian causes.

LATER LIFE AND LEGACY

• Eastman, an ardent cyclist, saw growing immobility caused by a degenerative disease characterized by cell hardening in the lower spinal cord. 
• He also had severe diabetes. So, on March 14, 1932, at the age of 77, he killed himself with a single bullet to the heart. “My work is done. Why wait?” he wrote in a note.

“The future life of our communities will require what our music and fine arts schools can provide. People must be interested in life outside of their vocations.” – George Eastman

• He never married or had children, citing being too busy and destitute when he was younger. During numerous journeys to Europe, he was an avid art collector and music lover, founding the famed Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, in 1921.

George Eastman Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about George Eastman across 24 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about George Eastman. He founded the Eastman Kodak Company, a pivotal moment in photographic history, introducing roll film cameras to the mainstream and democratizing amateur photography.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. George Eastman Facts
2. Entrepreneur Inventor
3. Journey to Greatness
4. Vocabulary Exercise
5. His Inventions 
6. History of Kodak
7. The Mind of an Amateur
8. Capture It!
9. Propaganda Poster
10. Self Video
11. The Magic of Photography 

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was George Eastman?

George Eastman was an American entrepreneur and inventor who founded the Eastman Kodak Company. He played a significant role in bringing photography to the mainstream by developing roll film, making cameras more accessible to the public.

What were George Eastman’s major contributions to photography?

Eastman’s major contributions include the invention of roll film in 1884, which replaced glass plates and made photography more convenient and accessible to a wider audience. He also introduced the Kodak camera in 1888, the first camera designed specifically for roll film.

How did George Eastman revolutionize the photography industry?

Eastman revolutionized the photography industry by simplifying the process of taking pictures. His innovations made photography more portable and affordable, leading to its widespread adoption by amateurs and professionals alike.

What was the significance of the Kodak camera in George Eastman’s career?

The Kodak camera, introduced in 1888, was significant because it was the first camera to use roll film, which Eastman had invented. This camera was sold pre-loaded with enough film for 100 exposures. After use, customers would send the entire camera back to the Kodak company, where the film would be developed, prints made, and the camera reloaded for a fee. This model made photography accessible to a broader audience.

What is George Eastman’s legacy today?

George Eastman’s legacy lives on in the Kodak brand and his contributions to the field of photography. He not only made significant advancements in technology but also played a role in shaping the way people capture and preserve memories. Additionally, his philanthropic efforts, including the establishment of the Eastman School of Music and the Eastman Theatre in Rochester, New York, continue to benefit society.

Link/cite this page

If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.

<a href="https://kidskonnect.com/social-studies/george-eastman/">George Eastman Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com</a> - KidsKonnect, April 24, 2024

Link will appear as George Eastman Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, April 24, 2024