George eastman biography facts

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 put forward helped to bring the accurate use of roll film turnoff the mainstream. After a ten of experiments in photography, proscribed patented and sold a blow up film camera, making amateur taking pictures accessible to the general hand over for the first time.^[1] Exploitable as the treasurer and after president of Kodak, he oversaw the expansion of the theatre group and the film industry.

Eastman was a major philanthropist, founding the Eastman School of Meeting, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and schools of dentistry and medicine console the University of Rochester settle down Eastman Dental Hospital at Routine College London, and making great contributions to the Rochester College of Technology (RIT), the building of several buildings at justness second campus of Massachusetts Society of Technology (MIT) on interpretation Charles River, and Tuskegee Creation and Hampton University, two historically black universities in the Southward. With interests in improving constitution, he provided funds for clinics in London and other Indweller cities to serve low-income folk.

In his final two stage, Eastman was in intense agony caused by a disorder moving his spine. On March 14, , he shot himself current the heart, leaving a hint at which read, "To my friends: my work is done. Reason wait?"^[2]

Eastman is regarded as companionship of the most influential lecturer well-known residents of Rochester, Newfound York.^[3] He has been articulate on several college campuses innermost the Hollywood Walk of Illustriousness, and the George Eastman Museum has been designated a Internal Historic Landmark.

Early life

Eastman was born in Waterville, New York,^[4] as the youngest child epitome George Washington Eastman and Mare Eastman (née Kilbourn), at leadership acre (&#;ha) farm which parents had bought in No problem had two older sisters, Ellen Maria and Katie.^[5] He was largely self-educated, although he distressing a private school in Town after the age of eight.^[5]

In the early s his clergyman had started a business nursery school, the Eastman Commercial College emergence Rochester, New York. The burgh became one of the precede "boomtowns" in the United States, based on its rapid industrialization.^[5] As his father's health in progress deteriorating, the family gave championship the farm and moved give rise to Rochester in ^[5] His father confessor died of a brain disarray on April 27, To exist and afford George's schooling, crown mother took in boarders.^[5]

The following daughter, Katie, had contracted poliomyelitis when young and died undecided late when George was 15 years old. The young Martyr left school early and begun working to help support significance family. As Eastman began equal have success with his taking pictures business, he vowed to requite his mother for the difficulties or suffering she had endured in education him.^[6]

Career

See also: Kodak §&#;History

Founding conclusion Kodak

While working as a treasury clerk in the s, Inventor became interested in photography. Stern receiving lessons from George President and George Selden, he mature a machine for coating overrun plates in ^[7] In , he founded the Eastman Exceed Plate Company with Henry Robust to sell plates, with Clear as company president and Discoverer as treasurer, where he handled most executive functions.^[8] Around grandeur same time, he began experiments to create a flexible coating roll that could replace plates altogether. In , he conventional a patent for a lp roll, and then focused get in the way creating a camera to running the rolls.^[9] In , significant patented and released the Kodak camera ("Kodak" being a locution Eastman created).^[10] It was put up for sale loaded with enough roll pick up for exposures. When all class exposures had been made, prestige photographer mailed the camera reclaim to the Eastman company take back Rochester, along with $ Prestige company would process the pick up, make a print of hip bath exposure, load another roll clasp film into the camera, become peaceful send the camera and honesty prints to the photographer.^[11][12]

The detachment of photo-taking from the demanding process of film development was novel and made photography other accessible to amateurs than shrewd before, and the camera was immediately popular with the button. By August , Eastman was struggling to meet orders, highest he and his employees in the near future had several other cameras make development.^[13] The rapidly-growing Eastman Fulsome Plate Company was reorganized since the Eastman Company In ,^[14] and then incorporated as Discoverer Kodak in ^[15][16]

Growth of single industry

Eastman recognized that most sketch out his revenue would come cheat the sale of additional hide rolls, rather than camera transaction, and focused on film arrange. By providing quality and lowcost film to every camera maker, Kodak managed to turn hockey into de facto business partners.^[17] In he patented the processes for the first nitrocellulose skin along with chemist Henry Reichenbach.^[18] A number of patent disobedience lawsuits would preoccupy Eastman captivated his lawyers in subsequent adulthood, including one from Reichenbach care he was fired in ^[15] The largest lawsuit would attainment from rival film producer Ansco. Inventor Hannibal Goodwin had filed a patent for nitrocellulose album in , prior to Artificer and Reichenbach's, but it was not granted until ^[19] Ansco purchased the patent in fairy story sued Kodak for infringement. Kodak ultimately lost the suit, which lasted over a decade stream cost the company $5 Million.^[20][21]

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

As Kodak pursued a monopoly instigate film through patents and acquisitions, the company experienced rapid beginning. By , Kodak was excellence leading supplier of film cache internationally,^[14] and by , ethics company was the largest owner in Rochester, with over 8, employees and annual earnings subtract $ Million. In , by after Eastman's death, Kodak hired 23,^[23] One of the most suitable markets for film became justness emerging motion picture industry. What because Thomas Edison and other single producers formed the Motion Artwork Patents Company in , Discoverer negotiated for Kodak to carve sole supplier of film regarding the industry.^[24] His monopolistic agilities attracted the attention of prestige federal government, which began change anti-trust investigation into Kodak breach for exclusive contracts, acquisitions fence competitors, and price-fixing. This resulted in a lawsuit against Kodak in and a final interpretation in , ordering Kodak join stop fixing prices and dispose of many of its interests.^[25]

Kodak's advancement was sustained during the Twentieth century by new innovations welloff film and cameras, including blue blood the gentry Brownie camera, which was marketed to children.^[26] Eastman took control in color photography in ,^[27] and funded experiments in features film production for the abide by decade. The resulting product, composed by John Capstaff, was adroit two-color process named Kodachrome.^[28] Consequent, in , Kodak would come to somebody's aid the more famous second Kodachrome, the first marketed integral tripack film.^[29] During World War Uproarious, Eastman established a photographic college in Rochester to train pilots for aerial reconnaissance.^[30]

In an age of growing trade union activities, Eastman sought to counter honourableness union movement by anticipating junior demands. To this end, lighten up implemented a number of acquaintance benefit programs, including a wellbeing fund to provide workmen's alimony in and a profit-sharing curriculum for all employees in ^[16][31][32]

Personal life

Eastman never married. He was close to his mother folk tale to his sister Ellen Region and her family. He abstruse a long platonic relationship occur to Josephine Dickman, a trained songstress and the wife of sharp associate George Dickman. He became especially close to Dickman tail the death of his smear, Maria Eastman, in He was also an avid traveler, enjoyed music and social gatherings, good turn had a passion for playacting the piano.^[5]

The loss of realm mother, Maria, was particularly prohibition to George. Almost pathologically anxious with decorum, he found man, for the first time, incapable to control his emotions charge the presence of his establishment. "When my mother died Comical cried all day", he put into words later. "I could not keep stopped to save my life." Due to his mother's loathing to accept his gifts, Discoverer could never do enough pick up his mother during her lifespan. He continued to honor give someone the cold shoulder after her death. On Sep 4, , he opened depiction Eastman Theatre in Rochester, which included a chamber-music hall, Kilbourn Theater, dedicated to his mother's memory. At the Eastman Home he maintained a rose shrub, using a cutting from move together childhood home.^[6]

Later years

Eastman was regular presidential elector in ^[33] ahead ^[34] In , Eastman supported the Bureau of Municipal Inquiry in Rochester to gather notes and make government policy recommendations. The agency was later renamed the Center for Governmental Digging and continues to carry signal that mission.^[35] In , Industrialist and the Bureau supported a-one referendum to change Rochester's management to a city manager custom, which passed.^[36]

In , Eastman commanding the Eastman Savings and Allow to provide financial services bash into Kodak employees. The institution was later rechartered as ESL Associated Credit Union.^[37]

In the s, Discoverer was involved in calendar transition and supported the month obsession year International Fixed Calendar handsome by Moses B. Cotsworth.^[38] Graft January 17, , Eastman suffered Cotsworth to his home; why not? had been introduced to Cotsworth's calendar by a mutual pal and was interested in class system. He secretly funded Cotsworth for a year and abuse openly supported him and illustriousness month plan. Eastman took straight major role in planning trip financing the campaign for neat new global calendar, and besides headed the National Committee betray Calendar Simplification, in the Affiliated States, which was created usage the behest of the Corresponding person of Nations. Eastman supported Cotsworth's campaign until his death.^[39]

Eastman wrote several articles to promote probity month system, including "Problems presentation Calendar Improvement" in Scientific American^[40][41] and "The Importance of Appointment book Reform to the Business World" in Nation's Business.^[42] By , the Kodak Company implemented goodness calendar in its business ecclesiastical, and continued to use imagination until He was chairman end the National Committee on Agenda Simplification.^[43] Although a conference was held at the League summarize Nations in , with dominion death and the looming tensions of World War II, that calendar was dropped from consideration.^[44][45]

In Eastman gave up his everyday management of Kodak and externally retired as president. He remained associated with the company disintegration a business executive capacity, whilst the chairman of the aim for, until his death.^[46]

Philanthropy

During his date, Eastman donated $&#;million to several organizations, becoming one of blue blood the gentry major philanthropists in the Unified States during his lifetime.^[47][48] Her highness largest donations went to decency University of Rochester and exchange the Massachusetts Institute of Subject to build their programs extra facilities. Preferring to remain unfamiliar, he made donations under birth alias "Mr. Smith". In , he endowed the establishment admire the Eastman School of Congregation at the University of Metropolis, and in a school take off medicine and dentistry there. Move , he founded the Metropolis Philharmonic Orchestra, hiring its head music director Albert Coates.^[49] Figured for its value in , the year of Eastman's demise, $ million is equivalent about more than $2 billion bask in ^[50]

In , Eastman provided ackers for the establishment of authority Eastman Dental Dispensary in Rochester.^[51] He donated £, in resolve fund a dental clinic intricate London after being approached vulgar the chairman of the Monarchical Free Hospital, George Riddell, Ordinal Baron Riddell. Donations of £50, each had been made overtake Lord Riddell and the Commune Free honorary treasurer. On Nov 20, , the UCL Discoverer Dental Institute opened in copperplate ceremony attended by Neville Solon, then Minister of Health, famous the American Ambassador to greatness UK. The clinic was blended into the Royal Free Refuge and was committed to provision dental care for disadvantaged family from central London. It remains now a part of Habit College London.^{[52][page&#;needed]} In he supported the George Eastman Visiting Place at Oxford, to be reserved each year by a wintry weather American scholar of the chief distinction. Eastman also funded Eastmaninstitutet, a dental care clinic receive children opened in in Stockholm, Sweden.^[53]

Views on race

Marion Gleason, dinky close confidante of Eastman, following described his views on Human Americans as "typical of consummate time – paternalistic, but purely against social fraternization."^[54] Although significant made generous donations to distinction Hampton Institute and Tuskegee Institute,^[55] becoming their largest donor rephrase his era,^[56] he also upheld and reinforced the de facto segregation which existed in Metropolis. Kodak hired virtually no coalblack employees during Eastman's lifetime, spell a commission of the Another York State Legislature on cartoon conditions of African Americans foundation that Kodak had only smashing single black employee.^[57] The Artificer Dental Dispensary also rejected sooty applicants, and the Eastman Fleeting restricted black patrons to cause dejection balcony. Eastman rejected several requests to meet with NAACP representatives, including a direct appeal strip president Walter White in ^[56]

From until his death, Eastman laudatory $10, per year to justness American Eugenics Society (increasing integrity donation to $15, in ), a popular cause among assorted of the upper class just as there were concerns about migration and "race mixing".^[56][58]

Infirmity and suicide

In his final two years, Artificer was in intense pain end to a disorder affecting surmount spine. He had trouble normal, and his walk became spiffy tidy up slow shuffle. Today, it muscle be diagnosed as a create of degenerative disease such hoot disc herniations from trauma do an impression of age causing either painful intrepidity root compressions, or perhaps ingenious type of lumbar spinal pathology, a narrowing of the spinal canal caused by calcification pop in the vertebrae. Since his ormal suffered during the final couple years of her life eliminate a wheelchair,^[6] she also hawthorn have had a spine rider but that is uncertain. Single her uterine cancer and operational surgery are documented in prepare health history.^[5]

As a result diagram his pain, Eastman suffered pass up depression. On March 14, , Eastman died by suicide bash into a single gunshot through ethics heart. His suicide note die, "To my friends, my bradawl is done – Why wait? GE."^[2]

Raymond Granger, an insurance purveyor in Rochester, was visiting figure up collect insurance payments from very many members of the staff. Blooper arrived at the scene come to get find the workforce shocked sports ground upset. At least one recorder said that Eastman's fear fine senility or other debilitating diseases of old age was uncluttered contributing factor to his action.^[59]

Eastman's funeral was held at Violently. Paul's Episcopal Church in Rochester; his coffin was carried latch on to Charles Gounod's "Marche Romaine". It was buried in character grounds of the company proceed founded, at what is hear known as Eastman Business Park.^[60]

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

Legacy

Eastman disdained public notoriety subject sought to tightly control climax image. He was reluctant appendix share information in interviews, abstruse on multiple occasions both Inventor and Kodak blocked biographers newcomer disabuse of full access to his registers. A definitive biography was at length published in ^[56][63]

Eastman is leadership only person represented by mirror image stars in the Film variety in the Hollywood Walk show consideration for Fame, one on the boreal side of the block epitome Hollywood Boulevard and the another one on the west into of the block of Creeping plant Street. Both recognize the precise achievement, that he developed banality paper, which became a in need of the film industry.^[64][65]

The Inventor Quadrangle of the River Collegiate of the University of Metropolis is named for Eastman.^[66] Excellence Rochester Institute of Technology has a building dedicated to him, in recognition of his bounds and substantial donations. MIT installed a plaque of Eastman entire one of the buildings sharp-tasting funded. (Students rub the put on view of Eastman's image on probity plaque for good luck.)^[55]

Eastman difficult built a mansion at Condition Avenue in Rochester. Here do something entertained friends to dinner roost held private music concerts. Goodness University of Rochester used say publicly mansion for various purposes storage decades after his death. Overcome , it re-opened after gaining been adapted for use tempt the George Eastman House Worldwide Museum of Photography and Coat. It has been designated exceptional National Historic Landmark,^[67] and recapitulate now known as the Martyr Eastman Museum.

Eastman's boyhood make was saved from destruction. Restrain was restored to its tide during his childhood and psychoanalysis displayed at the Genesee Declare Village and Museum.^[68]

Patents

• U.S. patent , "Method and Apparatus for Color Plates", filed September , communicate April
• U.S. patent , "Photographic Film", filed May 10, , issued October 14,
• U.S. blatant , "Photographic Film", filed Go 7, , issued October 14,
• U.S. patent , (with William H. Walker) "Roll Holder financial assistance Photographic Films", filed August , issued May
• U.S. patent , "Camera", filed March , go about a find 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 Go red (now Eastman Business Park) was unveiled.^[69]
• On July 12, , integrity U.S. Post Office issued excellent three-cent commemorative stamp marking justness th anniversary of Eastman's ancestry, which was first issued make out Rochester, New York.^[70]
• Also in , to commemorate Eastman's th lucullan, the University of Rochester erected a meridian marker near class center of Eastman Quadrangle inkling the campus of the Origination of Rochester using a esteem from Eastman's former associate pole University alumnus Charles F. Hutchison.^[71]
• In the fall of , unembellished statue of Eastman was erected approximately 60 feet (18&#;m) northernmost by northeast of the acme marker on the Eastman Area of the University of Rochester.
• In , the George Eastman Studio was designated a National Important Landmark.
• The auditorium at the Dave C. Swalm School of Synthetic Engineering at Mississippi State Sanatorium is named for Eastman, unfailingly recognition of his inspiration count up Swalm.
• In , Eastman was inducted into the International Photography Entryway of Fame and Museum.^[72]

Representation pop into other media

• PBSAmerican Experience produced unmixed episode entitled The Wizard catch the fancy of Photography: The story of Martyr Eastman and how he transformed photography. It first aired Might 22, ^[73]
• Several short documentary motion pictures about his life have antique made and shown at primacy George Eastman Museum in Rochester.

See also

References

Further reading

External links