The Life of George Eastman
George Eastman was an American entrepreneur and inventor who is best known for founding the Eastman Kodak Company and popularizing the use of roll film. Born in 1854 in New York, Eastman grew up in a family that struggled financially. Despite this, he managed to attend school until the age of 14, when he had to drop out to help support his family.
Eastman worked as a clerk and bookkeeper for several years before he began to experiment with photography. In 1880, he patented a new type of dry-plate photographic process that was less expensive and easier to use than existing methods. This invention led to the founding of the Eastman Dry Plate Company, which later became the Eastman Kodak Company.
Eastman's Suicide
Despite his success in business and photography, George Eastman struggled with depression for much of his life. In 1932, at the age of 77, he was diagnosed with a degenerative spinal condition that caused him constant pain and limited his mobility.
On March 14, 1932, Eastman wrote a note to his friends and family that read, "To my friends: My work is done. Why wait?" He then shot himself in the heart with a pistol and died instantly.
Legacy of George Eastman
George Eastman's contributions to photography and film have had a lasting impact on the world. His invention of roll film made photography more accessible to the general public, and his company's products became synonymous with the art form. Eastman also gave generously to charity throughout his life, and his philanthropic efforts continue through the George Eastman Museum and the Eastman School of Music.
Despite his tragic end, George Eastman will always be remembered as a pioneer of photography and an innovator in the field of business.