Discover the rise and fall of Kodak, a pioneer in photography that once dominated the industry. Learn how innovation, strategic missteps, and fierce competition led to its decline.
Image source: By Joost J. Bakker from IJmuiden - Kodacolor II film C 126-20 126 film cartridgeUploaded by Oxyman, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org
Once synonymous with photography, Kodak was a household name for decades.
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By the 1970s, Kodak dominated the market, controlling 95% of the U.S. film market and 85% of cameras.
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Founded in 1888 by George Eastman, Kodak revolutionized photography with roll film.
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Eastman’s slogan, “You press the button, we do the rest,” simplified photography for everyone.
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The $1 Brownie camera brought photography to the masses, boosting Kodak’s sales in the late 1800s.
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Kodak overcame patent lawsuits and emerged stronger, pushing boundaries in photography.
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Kodachrome, introduced in 1935, revolutionized color photography.
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The famous “Kodak moment” campaign captured emotions and drove nostalgia-inspired sales.
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Fujifilm disrupted Kodak’s monopoly in the 1980s with affordable alternatives.
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Kodak failed to embrace digital photography despite inventing it in 1975.
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Financial struggles and strategic errors led Kodak to file for bankruptcy in 2012.
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Innovate, adapt, or perish—Kodak’s story serves as a timeless business lesson.
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Image source: By Joost J. Bakker from IJmuiden - Kodacolor II film C 126-20 126 film cartridgeUploaded by Oxyman, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org