● 1878: Mr. George Eastman foresaw the gelatin dry plate instead of the popular trend of the heavy and bulky wet plate photography. Dry plates could be exposed and developed at the photographer's discretion, whereas wet plates had to be coated, exposed, and developed immediately while still wet.
●1879: Mr. Eastman invented a latex applicator, which led to the mass production of photographic dry plates.
●1880: Mr. Eastman began commercial production of dry plates in the penthouse of a rented building in Rochester, New York.
●1881: Mr. Eastman partners with Henry A. Strong, a family friend and radio antenna maker, to form the Eastman Dry Plate Company, and in September, Mr. Eastman quits his job as a bank clerk to go into business.
●1883: Eastman Dry Plate Company moves its operations to a four-story building, now 343 State Street, Rochester, New York, the company's world headquarters.
●1884: The Eastman Dry Plate and Film Company is incorporated, and the company is converted from a partnership to a stock corporation with $200,000 in assets and 14 shareholders. EASTMAN negative film is introduced. Mr. Eastman and colleague William H. Walker invent the negative photographic paper* roll.
●1885: Introduction of EASTMAN American film - the first transparent photographic "film", which is used today. The company opens a wholesale office in London, England.
●1960: KODAK ESTAR base (polyester base) is introduced to improve the dimensionality of KODALITH printing films. RECORDAK RELIANT 500 microfilm is introduced, capable of capturing 500 checks or 185 letters in one minute; Dr. Albert K. Chapman becomes Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, and William S. Vaughn becomes President and Chief Executive Officer.
●1961: The Company introduces its first highly successful KODAK CAROUSEL projector, which has a circular tray that holds 80 slides. KODACHROME II film is introduced, a major improvement on the long-established KODACHROME film.
●1962: The Company's consolidated U.S. sales surpassed $1 billion for the first time, and it had more than 75,000 employees worldwide. John Green becomes the first U.S. astronaut to orbit the Earth, and Kodak film records his reaction as he travels through space at 17,400 mph. Albert K. Chapman becomes Chairman of the Board of Directors upon the death of Thomas J. Hargrave.
●1963: Launch of the KODAK INSTAMATIC camera line, a line of cameras with easy-to-use boxed film that would ultimately catapult amateur photography to new heights of popularity. By 1970, more than 50 million INSTAMATIC cameras had been produced.
●1964: The Kodak Exhibition Hall at the New York World's Fair was one of the top ten buildings at the International Exhibition. The "Tower of Photography" displayed the largest outdoor color negative ever exhibited.
●1965: Kodak develops the super 8 format and introduces super 8 film on the new boxed KODACHROME II film. the KODAK INSTAMATIC camera allows the photographer to take four flash photographs without having to change the flash bulb. The new automatic processing system reduces the processing time for X-ray film to as little as 90 seconds.
●1966: The KODAK 2620 color printer incorporates an electronic memory that can print 2,000 to 3,000 images per hour. "Photo of the Century," a close-up of Copernicus crater on the Moon, taken by the Lunar Orbiter II, using a dual-lens camera, film, processor, and reading equipment supplied by Kodak. Kodak's worldwide consolidated sales of all products exceeded $4 billion, and Kodak employs more than 100,000 people worldwide.
●1967: The Camera Works plant begins its relocation to a 600-acre site in Gates, New York. The site, Elmgrove Plant, was the center of U.S. equipment production until it was sold in 2000. Operations are then moved to other Kodak locations, and William S. Vaughn becomes Chairman of the Board, succeeded by Dr. Louis K. Eilers as President.
● 1968: Carolina Eastman Corporation is founded in Columbia, Carolina, to produce KODEL polyester fibers and yarns.
● 1969: Kodak's Colorado Division begins construction of a film and paper manufacturing facility in the town of Windsor, Colorado. When astronauts Aldrin and Armstrong set foot on the moon, they carry very special stereo cameras made by Kodak. Kodak wins an Emmy Award for developing fast color film processing for television. Introduces the KODAK EKTAGRAPHIC Slide Projector, Kodak's first slide projector designed for the professional audiovisual market. Kodak has more than 200,000 shareholders.
●1970: A new film production facility is inaugurated in Guadalajara, Mexico. The company's suggestion system receives its millionth suggestion. Dr. Louis K. Eilers becomes Chairman of the Board of Directors and Gerald B. Zornow succeeds him as President. From 1963 to 1970, more than 50 million KODAK INSTAMATIC cameras were produced.
●1971: Kodak introduces the KODAK EKTACHROME 160 Motion Picture Film (Type A) and two new super 8 motion picture cameras, together laying the groundwork for "live-action" motion pictures for home use. The Marketing Education Center (also known as the Riverwood site) is established as a training center offering a variety of educational services for professionals using Kodak products.
●1972: Kodak downsizes the popular INSTAMATIC camera into a portable model with the introduction of five different Kodak portable INSTAMATIC cameras using the new KODAK 110 film cartridge. The line becomes so popular that 25 million units are produced in less than three years. Walter A. Fallon becomes president and chief executive officer, and Gerald B. Zornow is elected chairman of the board.
●1973: The company demonstrates home movies with sound with the introduction of two super 8 sound movie cameras and the boxed super 8 film (the tape used for recording). More than 120,000 employees worldwide.
●1975: Kodak introduces the KODAK EKTAPRINT 100 copier, which immediately gains industry acclaim for its high-quality copying and the user-friendliness of the onboard microcomputer.
●1976: The KODAK EKTAPRINT copier line is expanded to six different models. The new KODAK ORACLE and KODAK STARVUE microfilm products are introduced, offering high-speed, automated microfilm image retrieval. Introduced the new KODAK instant cameras and negatives for self-developing color photographs.
●1977: The newest member of the Eastman Chemical Division, the Arkansas Eastman Company begins commercial production of organic chemicals. Walter A. Fallon is elected Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Colby H. Chandler becomes President.
● 1978: Eastman Chemical Division introduces EASTMAN KODAPAK thermoplastic polyester for beverage bottles.
●1980: Kodak celebrates its 100th anniversary. The company announces its entry into the clinical diagnostics market with the introduction of the KODAK EKTACHEM 400 analyzer, which utilizes dry chemistry serum analysis.
●1981: Company sales exceed $10 billion. Kodak acquires Atex, Inc. a manufacturer of computerized publishing systems. KODAK EKTAFLEX PCT color platemaking products are introduced, facilitating color enlargement for the home darkroom enthusiast.
●1982: Kodak launches "hard disk photography" with a line of miniature "no-decision" cameras built around film rotating discs. KODACOLOR VR 100 film is introduced, utilizing the emerging T-GRAIN emulsion technology, an important breakthrough in silver halide emulsion technology. The Kodak Gallery opens at the new EPCOT Center at Disneyland near Orlando, Fla.
●1983: Colby H. Chandler is elected Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Kay R. Whitmore becomes President. The KODAK KAR 4000 information system provides advanced capabilities for computer-assisted storage and microfilm image retrieval. Eastman Tennessee begins operation of the only commercial plant in the U.S. that produces coal chemicals.KODAK EKTACHEM DT60 Analyzer, a benchtop unit that facilitates dry chemistry serum analysis by physicians in the office.
●1984: Kodak enters the video market with the KODAVISION Series 2000 8mm video system and introduces KODAK cassettes in 8mm, Beta, and VHS formats. The company introduces a full line of floppy disks for personal computers.
●1985: The Company introduces two new image management systems - the KODAK EKTAPRINT Electronic Publishing System (KEEPS) and the KODAK Information Management System (KIMS). Launches a compact developer system for photo printing to provide consumers with exceptionally fast photo development services.
●1986: The Company introduces two new KODACOLOR VR-G 35 films and returns to the 35mm camera market with two new KODAK VR 35 cameras. The Company introduces the KODAK ULTRALIFE lithium battery, the world's first 9-volt residential lithium battery, and enters the general residential battery market with the KODAK SUPRALIFE battery line. Kodak enters the new healthcare industry with the formation of Eastman Pharmaceuticals.
●1987: The Company enters the still electronic video market with seven products for recording, storing, manipulating, transmitting, and printing still electronic video images. Construction begins on a new state-of-the-art photographic plant in Rochester, New York, to coat professional color film. Kodak introduces its first disposable camera, the KODAK FLING camera, which utilizes 110 KODACOLOR film cartridges.
●1988: Kodak acquires Sterling Drug Inc. giving Kodak the foundation and marketing capabilities needed to become a profitable player in both prescription and over-the-counter medicines. 1994 Kodak finally sells its non-imaging healthcare-related businesses. Kodak enters into a joint venture with Fuqua Industries, Inc, Qualex, Inc. to consolidate the operations of approximately 90 photofinishing labs owned by each company. Launches KODAK EKTAPRESS GOLD Film, the first line of color negatives created specifically for photojournalists. KODAK T-MAX P3200 film is introduced, a further advancement in black-and-white film technology, and the KODAK CREATE-A-PRINT 35mm Color Expansion Center allows consumers to crop and create their own enlargements in minutes.
●1989: Kodak celebrates the centennial of motion pictures with the introduction of EASTMAN EXR color negative film. The KODAK XL 7700 Digital Continuous Tone Printer, capable of printing large-format thermal color photographs, is introduced. The disposable KODAK STRETCH 35 camera produces 3 1/2 x 10-inch (25 x 25.4 cm) panoramic photographs. The KODAK WEEKEND 35 disposable camera is an all-weather camera capable of shooting under 8 feet of water.The KODAK IMAGELINK component line (for document capture) and the KODAK OPTISTAR products (for computer output) offer options for micro or digital capture of images. The KODAK X-OMATIC RA dark box dramatically reduces the chance of radiation exposure for pediatric patients.KODAK FUN SAVER Panoramic 35 Disposable Camera
● 1995: Kodak launches the Internet Web site, kodak.com, to provide Internet users around the globe with the opportunity to learn more about Kodak people, products, services, and history. In March, Kodak's digital imaging business makes great strides with the KODAK DC40 foolproof digital camera and advanced new photo papers and transparencies formulated to produce high-quality images from inkjet printers. In September, Kodak announced that Danka Business Systems PLC will sell and offer Kodak large format copiers throughout the United States and Canada.
●1996: The Advanced Photographic System (APS) format is introduced. Features include drop-in film cartridge loading, a changeover feature that allows film to be rewound halfway through the exposure if it is not fully exposed, and three different picture formats (Classic, Group, and Panorama). Kodak introduces the ADVANTIX brand for its related products. In June, the Company introduces its first line of compact digital cameras to the rapidly growing residential digital market. Kodak launches a television commercial titled "Take Pictures.Further." to promote the broader appeal of the Kodak brand. The company ships its 10,000th medical laser printer to Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. Daniel A. Carp is named President and Chief Operating Officer of Kodak. The Company introduces four new GOLD films with COLORSHARP technology (400, 200, and 100 and up to 800 sensitivities). By February, the company had recycled more than 100 million disposable cameras since 1990, when the recycling program began. The KODAK Picture Network is launched, enabling people to view photos, book photo reprints and enjoy photos with friends and family*** over the Internet worldwide. In April, the Company introduces the KODAK DIGITAL SCIENCE DC120 Zoom Digital Camera, the first compact megapixel digital camera under $1,000. Kodak enters into an agreement with Sun Chemical Company to form a joint venture, KODAK POLARIZED IMAGING COMPANY, to supply photographic supplies as well as offline platesetting and other digital solutions to the printing market. Advanced KODAK Imaging Sensors enable NASA's Mars adventure to "walk and see" as it explores the planet's surface.
● 1998: KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA Color Negative Film and KODAK PROFESSIONAL SUPRA III Color Photo Paper are introduced. America Online and Kodak launch the "You've Got Pictures!" photo service, which allows AOL members to send developed pictures online. Kodak acquires most of the worldwide medical imaging business of Imation Corporation, including the DRYVIEW laser imaging business. Astronaut John Glenn and other STS-95 members use the KODAK PROFESSIONAL DCS 460 digital camera to capture high-resolution images during spaceflight and transmit them back to Earth in real time.
●1999: Kodak sells its digital printer, copier, and roller assembly operations to Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, and the two companies expand NexPress, a joint venture created in 1998, with the introduction of DURALIFE paper, a revolutionary new paper for snapshots. It sets new benchmarks in virtually every performance area, including tear resistance, durability, brightness and whiteness, image clarity, and curl resistance. Kodak's Business & Government Systems business introduces an earth-imaging digital camera capable of displaying surface objects as small as one meter in length. Together with Lexmark International, Inc.*** Kodak introduces the KODAK Personal Picture Maker for home digital image printing. The Health Imaging business introduces the KODAK DRYVIEW 8600 Laser Imaging System for mammography, and three state-of-the-art radiography systems for capturing X-ray images. Kodak and Sanyo Electric Co. Kodak and Sanyo Electric Co. introduce the world's first commercial model of a full-color, active matrix organic electroluminescent (OLED) display.
●2000: Dan Carp assumes the role of CEO and President of Kodak, and Kodak's Medical Imaging unit introduces 45 new products during the year, including KODAK InSight Intraoral Dental Film, a dental radiographic film that helps dentists minimize the amount of radiation their patients receive while producing superior images; and two new digital radiographic systems: KODAK InSight, the first digital radiographic system to produce superior images; and KODAK InSight, the first digital radiographic system to produce superior images. KODAK's Entertainment Imaging unit begins initial collaboration with Qualcomm Inc. on testing core technologies to create high-quality digital cinema systems. Kodak introduces the new PalmPix camera, converting the Palm m100 handheld to a digital camera. At the end of the year, Kodak completes the acquisition of Lumisys, Inc. a supplier of desktop digital radiography systems and X-ray film digitizers.
●2001: Dan Carp assumes the roles of Chairman, CEO, and President of Kodak, and Kodak enters into an alliance with Maytag Corporation, Maytag's Dixie-Narco Vending Business Unit, and e-Vend.net to utilize vending machines and the Internet to increase the number of locations where consumers can purchase film and disposable cameras. The Company completes the acquisition of the imaging business of Bell & Howell Company. Kodak launches a new global advertising campaign, "Share This Moment, Share This Life." Launches the KODAK EASYSHARE System, a new line of digital cameras and docking systems that set the standard for ease-of-use in digital photography. In June, the company acquires online photography services leader Ofoto, Inc.
●2002: Kodak completes the acquisition of Encad, Inc. a wholly owned Kodak subsidiary specializing in the wide-format inkjet printing industry. KODAK PERFECT TOUCH Processing is introduced, marking the expansion of the company's digital photo processing services for consumers. By individually scanning and digitally processing each photo, KODAK PERFECT TOUCH Processing removes dark shadows, reveals rich details, improves transparency and contrast, and brings out more vivid colors in photos. The company introduces the KODAK 8500 Digital Photo Printer, a photo-quality thermal-sublimation desktop printer that offers higher throughput than inkjet printers at a competitive price. Introduces the KODAK i200 Series Scanner; a low-volume document scanner that includes much of the technology of the Company's highest-speed scanners as well as the market's first pluggable platform accessory for scanning documents that require special handling. Kodak and Sanyo Electric introduce a prototype fifteen-inch flat-panel display, a next-generation full-color display based on Kodak's patented organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology. The Company introduces KODAK VISION2 Motion Picture Color Negative Film, the next generation of its award-winning motion picture film, a descendant of the VISION film line of motion picture films, which was introduced in 1925 and quickly became the most widely used motion picture film in the world.
●2003: The KODAK EASYSHARE Multi-Function Pedestal Printer 6000 is introduced, a device that prints durable 10 x 15 cm KODAK borderless photos. The Company introduces several digital cameras, including the first KODAK EASYSHARE LS633 Zoom Digital Camera with an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display and the KODAK EASYSHARE DX6490 for advanced amateur photographers. launches Kodak's U.S. Moving Image Service to help people store, share, organize and print their digital images. digital images. Introduced the KODAK i80 scanner, which digitizes paper documents 40 percent faster than previous models, and a new portfolio of document imaging products. Kodak makes several acquisitions, including PracticeWorks, Inc. a provider of clinical management software for dentistry; a 20 percent stake in China-based Luckys Film Corporation, the largest manufacturer of photographic film; Algotec Systems Ltd. a developer of photo archiving and communication systems; and Applied Science Fiction's Digital PIC Rapid Film Processor. Antonio Perez joins as President and COO. In September, the company launches a new digital growth strategy to accelerate its expansion into a range of commercial businesses. The Company is organized under five primary operating segments: Commercial Printing, Displays and Components, Medical Imaging, Digital and Film Imaging, and Commercial Imaging.
●2004: The KODAK EASYSHARE Digital Camera received the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the $200-$399 and $400-$599 price points in the J.D. Power and Associates 2004 Digital Camera Satisfaction Survey. Kodak expands its Graphic Communications business, becoming the sole owner of the former joint ventures NexPress, a provider of high-end, on-demand color printing systems and black-and-white variable data printing systems, and Scitex Digital Printing, a leader in high-speed variable data inkjet printing. The latter is renamed Kodak Versamark, Inc. The company also purchases the remaining shares of digital camera manufacturer Chinon Industries, acquires the imaging sensor business of National Semiconductor, and enters into an alliance with IBM to produce CMOS image sensors. To further focus on growth areas, Kodak sells its remote sensing systems business for defense and space customers to ITT Industries.Kodak and seven other camera manufacturers announce the new IMAGELINK specification, which allows a wide range of cameras to be connected to and used with the EASYSHARE multifunctional docking printer. Kodak also introduces an enhanced version of the EASYSHARE Multi-Dock Printer that prints photos from digital cameras, memory cards, and wireless transfers. Expansion of thermal media production capabilities begins with the construction of a manufacturing facility at Kodak's Colorado Windsor site. This will help meet the growing demand for high-quality thermal sublimation printing for Kodak's popular Picture Maker digital photo instant printing system, EASYSHARE multifunctional docking printers, and Professional 1400 digital photo printers. As demand for digital imaging grows, Kodak divests its film and paper manufacturing operations, closes its Coburg, Australia facility, and downsizes operations at several other locations. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves Kodak's new mammography computer-aided detection system. The system helps identify suspicious areas on digitized mammograms, aiding radiologists in the early detection of breast cancer. Launched KODAK Royal Premium Inkjet Photo Paper with COLORLAST Technology. When used with the latest inks, photos printed on this inkjet paper will last more than 100 years in a typical home display environment.
●2005: Kodak receives many industry accolades for its new EASYSHARE-ONE digital camera, which has the unprecedented ability to save up to 1,500 photos for instant playback and wirelessly transfer images for printing, emailing, or viewing online. Other new EASYSHARE cameras include the V-Series and P-Series models, the P-Series cameras offer advanced features for demanding photographers, and the V-Series cameras are smaller than a poker face, but offer the convergence of photo and video capabilities - with the ability to capture print-quality stills from video, or record up to 80 minutes of continuous TV footage with sound. Building on the success of Kodak's award-winning line of digital cameras and multifunction docking printers, the company's OFOTO online photo service is renamed the KODAK EASYSHARE Gallery, and Kodak acquires OREX Computed Radiography Ltd. a leader in compact digital radiography systems for digitally capturing X-ray images. As the Graphic Communications business continues to grow, the Company becomes the leading provider of products and services to the graphic communications market and sole owner of the former joint venture, Kodak Polaroid Imaging; and acquires Creo Inc. a premier provider of prepress and workflow systems used in commercial printers worldwide. Kodak introduces new products for the printing industry, KODAK Enterprise Management Solution (EMS), a complete business process solution; and the KODAK VERSAMARK VX5000e Print System, which offers twice the effective resolution of previous generations of continuous inkjet printheads. Antonio M. Perez assumes concurrent roles as CEO and president of Kodak. Kodak announces the first CMOS image sensor (CIS) devices jointly manufactured with IBM. Kodak introduces the Molecular Imaging System, which recognizes molecular anomalies that show signs of disease at a very early stage through a non-invasive process. The systems are not yet available for human use, but they will assist laboratory researchers in areas such as cancer research. Kodak introduces new home printing products including the EASYSHARE Photo Printer 500, which can be used with virtually any brand of digital camera and the latest models of camera phones. Kodak begins the global transformation of its brand into the digital world. Actions include an advertising campaign in art museums depicting the importance of personal, historical, and medical images and highlighting Kodak's responsibility to create, share, and protect them. Launched the world's highest resolution professional image sensor, the 39-megapixel KODAK KAF-39000 Image Sensor. Kodak launches the KODAK Picture Kiosk G4, providing faster image upload and printing, solidifying its leadership position in the retail printing industry. Kodak's Medical Group secures the largest Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) and Information Management Solution (IMS) contract with National Services Scotland.
●2006 (April): Antonio M. Perez assumes additional roles as Chairman and CEO of Kodak. Introduced the world's first dual-lens still digital camera, the sleek and compact KODAK EASYSHARE V570 Zoom Digital Camera. This is followed by the introduction of the KODAK EASYSHARE V610 twin-lens digital camera, the world's smallest 10x optical zoom. Kodak updates its brand slogan to reflect a new, modern look at today's digital world. Kodak and Motorola form a global product, reciprocal licensing and marketing alliance around mobile imaging. Introduced the KODAK Scan Station 100, which allows two office workers to simultaneously scan, store and ****enjoy documents on an office network and send them anywhere - without the need for a computer.