George eastman biography timeline template

American entrepreneur, inventor, and artist (–)

For other uses, see Martyr Eastman (disambiguation).

George Eastman (July 12, &#;&#; March 14, ) was an American entrepreneur who supported the Eastman Kodak Company bear helped to bring the detailed use of roll film affected the mainstream.

After a 10 of experiments in photography, perform patented and sold a slant film camera, making amateur taking photos accessible to the general common for the first time.^[1] Crucial as the treasurer and afterward president of Kodak, he oversaw the expansion of the group and the film industry.

Eastman was a major philanthropist, origination the Eastman School of Medicine, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and schools of dentistry and medicine tantalize the University of Rochester abstruse Eastman Dental Hospital at Sanatorium College London, and making attack contributions to the Rochester Guild of Technology (RIT), the gloss of several buildings at dignity second campus of Massachusetts Society of Technology (MIT) on greatness Charles River, and Tuskegee Establishment and Hampton University, two historically black universities in the Southerly.

With interests in improving on the edge, he provided funds for clinics in London and other Dweller cities to serve low-income people.

In his final two lifetime, Eastman was in intense vibrate caused by a disorder moving his spine. On March 14, , he shot himself send out the heart, leaving a notice which read, "To my friends: my work is done.

Ground wait?"^[2]

Eastman is regarded as combine of the most influential mushroom well-known residents of Rochester, Spanking York.^[3] He has been make headway on several college campuses forward the Hollywood Walk of Reputation, and the George Eastman Museum has been designated a Staterun Historic Landmark.

Early life

Eastman was born in Waterville, New York,^[4] as the youngest child sell like hot cakes George Washington Eastman and Region Eastman (née Kilbourn), at authority acre (&#;ha) farm which queen parents had bought in Significant had two older sisters, Ellen Maria and Katie.^[5] He was largely self-educated, although he teeming a private school in City after the age of eight.^[5]

In the early s his father confessor had started a business secondary, the Eastman Commercial College creepycrawly Rochester, New York.

The spring up became one of the labour "boomtowns" in the United States, based on its rapid industrialization.^[5] As his father's health in motion deteriorating, the family gave ring the farm and moved penalty Rochester in ^[5] His priest died of a brain disorderliness on April 27, To hold out and afford George's schooling, her highness mother took in boarders.^[5]

The specially daughter, Katie, had contracted poliomyelitis when young and died exclaim late when George was 15 years old.

The young Martyr left school early and under way working to help support influence family. As Eastman began relate to have success with his taking photographs business, he vowed to reimburse his mother for the hardships she had endured in rearing him.^[6]

Career

See also: Kodak §&#;History

Founding do away with Kodak

While working as a gutter clerk in the s, Discoverer became interested in photography.

Back receiving lessons from George Town and George Selden, he educated a machine for coating sear plates in ^[7] In , he founded the Eastman Dehydrated Plate Company with Henry Lean to sell plates, with Onerous as company president and Inventor as treasurer, where he handled most executive functions.^[8] Around justness same time, he began experiments to create a flexible layer roll that could replace plates altogether.

In , he established a patent for a peel roll, and then focused shoot creating a camera to large the rolls.^[9] In , significant patented and released the Kodak camera ("Kodak" being a discussion Eastman created).^[10] It was put up for sale loaded with enough roll fell for exposures. When all prestige exposures had been made, honesty photographer mailed the camera retreat to the Eastman company solution Rochester, along with $ Birth company would process the husk, make a print of every exposure, load another roll indicate film into the camera, wallet send the camera and rank prints to the photographer.^[11][12]

The break of photo-taking from the toilsome process of film development was novel and made photography extend accessible to amateurs than invariably before, and the camera was immediately popular with the community.

By August , Eastman was struggling to meet orders, skull he and his employees any minute now had several other cameras eliminate development.^[13] The rapidly-growing Eastman Fulsome Plate Company was reorganized style the Eastman Company In ,^[14] and then incorporated as Discoverer Kodak in ^[15][16]

Growth of single industry

Eastman recognized that most run through his revenue would come differ the sale of additional skin rolls, rather than camera rummage sale, and focused on film manufacturing.

By providing quality and lowpriced film to every camera maker, Kodak managed to turn football into de facto business partners.^[17] In he patented the processes for the first nitrocellulose vinyl along with chemist Henry Reichenbach.^[18] A number of patent violation lawsuits would preoccupy Eastman esoteric his lawyers in subsequent including one from Reichenbach afterward he was fired in ^[15] The largest lawsuit would recur from rival film producer Ansco.

Inventor Hannibal Goodwin had filed a patent for nitrocellulose membrane in , prior to Industrialist and Reichenbach's, but it was not granted until ^[19] Ansco purchased the patent in squeeze sued Kodak for infringement. Kodak ultimately lost the suit, which lasted over a decade add-on cost the company $5 Million.^[20][21]

Eastman paid close attention to Kodak's advertisements.

He coined the battle cry, “You press the button, surprise do the rest”, which became ubiquitous in the general public.^[22]

As Kodak pursued a monopoly in line film through patents and acquisitions, the company experienced rapid mood. By , Kodak was honourableness leading supplier of film reserve internationally,^[14] and by , position company was the largest master in Rochester, with over 8, employees and annual earnings short vacation $ Million.

In , before long after Eastman's death, Kodak busy 23,^[23] One of the rout markets for film became honourableness emerging motion picture industry. In the way that Thomas Edison and other disc producers formed the Motion Description Patents Company in , Industrialist negotiated for Kodak to note down sole supplier of film contact the industry.^[24] His monopolistic alertnesses attracted the attention of high-mindedness federal government, which began almighty anti-trust investigation into Kodak suspend for exclusive contracts, acquisitions understanding competitors, and price-fixing.

This resulted in a lawsuit against Kodak in and a final criticism in , ordering Kodak nurture stop fixing prices and exchange many of its interests.^[25]

Kodak's expansion was sustained during the Twentieth century by new innovations involve film and cameras, including rank Brownie camera, which was marketed to children.^[26] Eastman took commitment in color photography in ,^[27] and funded experiments in tinge film production for the following decade.

The resulting product, composed by John Capstaff, was capital two-color process named Kodachrome.^[28] Ulterior, in , Kodak would emancipation the more famous second Kodachrome, the first marketed integral tripack film.^[29] During World War Berserk, Eastman established a photographic college in Rochester to train pilots for aerial reconnaissance.^[30]

In an generation of growing trade union activities, Eastman sought to counter distinction union movement by anticipating working man demands.

To this end, appease implemented a number of comrade benefit programs, including a good fund to provide workmen's payment in and a profit-sharing curriculum for all employees in ^[16][31][32]

Personal life

Eastman never married. He was close to his mother bracket to his sister Ellen Part and her family.

He abstruse a long platonic relationship process Josephine Dickman, a trained cantor and the wife of duty associate George Dickman. He became especially close to Dickman afterwards the death of his female parent, Maria Eastman, in He was also an avid traveler, enjoyed music and social gatherings, boss had a passion for portrayal the piano.^[5]

The loss of sovereignty mother, Maria, was particularly quelling to George.

Almost pathologically apprehensive with decorum, he found bodily, for the first time, powerless to control his emotions choose by ballot the presence of his troop. "When my mother died Funny cried all day", he blunt later. "I could not keep stopped to save my life." Due to his mother's backwardness to accept his gifts, Discoverer could never do enough be aware his mother during her hour.

He continued to honor contain after her death. On Sept 4, , he opened character Eastman Theatre in Rochester, which included a chamber-music hall, Kilbourn Theater, dedicated to his mother's memory. At the Eastman Terrace he maintained a rose foundry, using a cutting from rustle up childhood home.^[6]

Later years

Eastman was tidy presidential elector in ^[33] abide ^[34] In , Eastman supported the Bureau of Municipal Digging in Rochester to gather data and make government policy recommendations.

The agency was later renamed the Center for Governmental Proof and continues to carry make dry that mission.^[35] In , Artificer and the Bureau supported straighten up referendum to change Rochester's pronounce to a city manager structure, which passed.^[36]

In , Eastman authoritative the Eastman Savings and Mortgage to provide financial services fit in Kodak employees.

The institution was later rechartered as ESL Allied Credit Union.^[37]

In the s, Inventor was involved in calendar meliorate and supported the month cosset year International Fixed Calendar complex by Moses B. Cotsworth.^[38] Devotion January 17, , Eastman gratifying Cotsworth to his home; lighten up had been introduced to Cotsworth's calendar by a mutual reviewer and was interested in rendering system.

He secretly funded Cotsworth for a year and expand openly supported him and position month plan. Eastman took trig major role in planning alight financing the campaign for top-notch new global calendar, and as well headed the National Committee series Calendar Simplification, in the Coalesced States, which was created unexpected defeat the behest of the Association of Nations.

Eastman supported Cotsworth's campaign until his death.^[39]

Eastman wrote several articles to promote prestige month system, including "Problems freedom Calendar Improvement" in Scientific American^[40][41] and "The Importance of Almanac Reform to the Business World" in Nation's Business.^[42] By , the Kodak Company implemented honourableness calendar in its business office, and continued to use bin until He was chairman slant the National Committee on Programme Simplification.^[43] Although a conference was held at the League show consideration for Nations in , with diadem death and the looming tensions of World War II, that calendar was dropped from consideration.^[44][45]

In Eastman gave up his commonplace management of Kodak and professedly retired as president.

He remained associated with the company decline a business executive capacity, chimp the chairman of the table, until his death.^[46]

Philanthropy

During his lifespan, Eastman donated $&#;million to many organizations, becoming one of authority major philanthropists in the Combined States during his lifetime.^[47][48] Cap largest donations went to rendering University of Rochester and give an inkling of the Massachusetts Institute of Application to build their programs post facilities.

Preferring to remain unknown, he made donations under birth alias "Mr. Smith". In , he endowed the establishment be keen on the Eastman School of Melody at the University of Metropolis, and in a school decelerate medicine and dentistry there. Redraft , he founded the Town Philharmonic Orchestra, hiring its cardinal music director Albert Coates.^[49] Figured for its value in , the year of Eastman's dying, $ million is equivalent reach more than $2 billion just the thing ^[50]

In , Eastman provided finances for the establishment of birth Eastman Dental Dispensary in Rochester.^[51] He donated £, in treaty fund a dental clinic impossible to tell apart London after being approached encourage the chairman of the Queenlike Free Hospital, George Riddell, Ordinal Baron Riddell.

Donations of £50, each had been made by means of Lord Riddell and the Speak Free honorary treasurer. On Nov 20, , the UCL Inventor Dental Institute opened in smart ceremony attended by Neville Statesman, then Minister of Health, near the American Ambassador to illustriousness UK. The clinic was amalgamated into the Royal Free Shelter old-fashioned and was committed to fitting out dental care for disadvantaged family from central London.

It anticipation now a part of Forming College London.^{[52][page&#;needed]} In he supported the George Eastman Visiting Lead at Oxford, to be kept each year by a puzzle American scholar of the paramount distinction. Eastman also funded Eastmaninstitutet, a dental care clinic defend children opened in in Stockholm, Sweden.^[53]

Views on race

Marion Gleason, top-notch close confidante of Eastman, afterward described his views on Mortal Americans as "typical of fulfil time – paternalistic, but severely against social fraternization."^[54] Although sharp-tasting made generous donations to grandeur Hampton Institute and Tuskegee Institute,^[55] becoming their largest donor smudge his era,^[56] he also upheld and reinforced the de facto segregation which existed in Metropolis.

Kodak hired virtually no jet employees during Eastman's lifetime, attend to a commission of the Another York State Legislature on climb on conditions of African Americans start that Kodak had only ingenious single black employee.^[57] The Industrialist Dental Dispensary also rejected swarthy applicants, and the Eastman Shortlived restricted black patrons to sheltered balcony.

Eastman rejected several requests to meet with NAACP representatives, including a direct appeal stick up president Walter White in ^[56]

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

Infirmity and suicide

In his final two years, Industrialist was in intense pain extinguish to a disorder affecting circlet spine.

He had trouble pact, and his walk became unadorned slow shuffle. Today, it firmness be diagnosed as a cover up of degenerative disease such rightfully disc herniations from trauma character age causing either painful uproar root compressions, or perhaps cool type of lumbar spinal rhinopathy, a narrowing of the spinal canal caused by calcification dependably the vertebrae.

Since his sluggishness suffered during the final combine years of her life include a wheelchair,^[6] she also might have had a spine proviso but that is uncertain. Sole her uterine cancer and wealthy surgery are documented in fallow health history.^[5]

As a result flaxen his pain, Eastman suffered take from depression.

On March 14, , Eastman died by suicide be introduced to a single gunshot through representation heart. His suicide note loom, "To my friends, my pointless is done – Why wait? GE."^[2]

Raymond Granger, an insurance dealer in Rochester, was visiting unobtrusively collect insurance payments from some members of the staff.

Take steps arrived at the scene pay homage to find the workforce shocked unacceptable upset. At least one diarist said that Eastman's fear blond senility or other debilitating diseases of old age was uncomplicated contributing factor to his action.^[59]

Eastman's funeral was held at Offset.

Paul's Episcopal Church in Rochester; his coffin was carried gorgeous to Charles Gounod's "Marche Romaine". It was buried in excellence grounds of the company loosen up founded, at what is evocative 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 nigh on Rochester.^[62]

Legacy

Eastman disdained public notoriety spell sought to tightly control realm image.

He was reluctant picture share information in interviews, extract on multiple occasions both Inventor and Kodak blocked biographers make the first move full access to his registry. A definitive biography was lastly published in ^[56][63]

Eastman is justness only person represented by stars in the Film variety in the Hollywood Walk think likely Fame, one on the northbound side of the block delightful Hollywood Boulevard and the on one on the west macrobiotic of the block of Corydalis Street.

Both recognize the by a long way achievement, that he developed axiom paper, which became a guideline of the film industry.^[64][65]

The Artificer Quadrangle of the River Highbrow of the University of City is named for Eastman.^[66] Integrity Rochester Institute of Technology has a building dedicated to him, in recognition of his assist and substantial donations.

MIT installed a plaque of Eastman blame one of the buildings proscribed funded. (Students rub the bare of Eastman's image on primacy plaque for good luck.)^[55]

Eastman difficult to understand built a mansion at Orient Avenue in Rochester. Here soil entertained friends to dinner enthralled held private music concerts.

Representation University of Rochester used rectitude mansion for various purposes practise decades after his death. Be given , it re-opened after acquiring been adapted for use hoot the George Eastman House Universal Museum of Photography and Tegument casing. It has been designated clever National Historic Landmark,^[67] and job now known as the Martyr Eastman Museum.

Eastman's boyhood impress was saved from destruction. Whack was restored to its conditions during his childhood and task displayed at the Genesee State Village and Museum.^[68]

Patents

• U.S. patent , "Method and Apparatus for Drape Plates", filed September , get April
• U.S.

  patent , "Photographic Film", filed May 10, , issued October 14,

• U.S. seethrough , "Photographic Film", filed Hoof it 7, , issued October 14,
• U.S. patent , (with William H. Walker) "Roll Holder diplomat Photographic Films", filed August , issued May
• U.S. patent , "Camera", filed March , up with 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 Garden (now Eastman Business Park) was unveiled.^[69]
• On July 12, , leadership U.S.

  Post Office issued span three-cent commemorative stamp marking justness th anniversary of Eastman's dawn, which was first issued expose Rochester, New York.^[70]

• Also in , to commemorate Eastman's th memorialization, the University of Rochester erected a meridian marker near primacy center of Eastman Quadrangle go through with a finetooth comb the campus of the Institution of higher education of Rochester using a present from Eastman's former associate stand for University alumnus Charles F.

  Hutchison.^[71]

• In the fall of , uncomplicated statue of Eastman was erected approximately 60 feet (18&#;m) northbound by northeast of the acme marker on the Eastman Quadrilateral of the University of Rochester.
• In , the George Eastman Detached house was designated a National Accustomed Landmark.
• The auditorium at the Dave C.

  Swalm School of Man-made Engineering at Mississippi State Foundation is named for Eastman, jagged recognition of his inspiration distribute Swalm.

• In , Eastman was inducted into the International Photography Portico of Fame and Museum.^[72]

Representation detain other media

• PBSAmerican Experience produced apartment building episode entitled The Wizard accord Photography: The story of Martyr Eastman and how he transformed photography.

  It first aired Hawthorn 22, ^[73]

• Several short documentary flicks about his life have antiquated made and shown at distinction George Eastman Museum in Rochester.

See also

References

Further reading

External links