I can say this with confidence — in almost every Indian home, there’s an old photo album lying somewhere. These days, no matter how many photos we click on our phones, we never quite get the same feeling as we do when holding an actual photo printed on paper.
Whether it’s our parents’ wedding album, school’s annual day, or a birthday party — there’s one thing that’s almost always common:
The word ‘Kodak’ printed on the back of the photo.
There was a time when Kodak ruled the world of photography. By 1976, Kodak had captured 85% of the camera market and 90% of the photo film market. That’s not just success — that’s domination.
But then, in 2012, shocking news came out — Kodak had filed for bankruptcy.
And yet, if we look at Kodak’s recent numbers, the company is still generating billions of dollars in revenue and even making a profit.
So the big question is:
What caused Kodak’s downfall? And how is it making money again after going bankrupt?
Let’s dive into the story.
How Did Kodak Become So Popular?
To understand how Kodak fell, we first need to know how it became so big in the first place.
It all started in the year 1877. George Eastman, just 24 years old at the time, was working as a clerk in a bank in New York. One day, he planned a trip with a friend and decided to buy a camera to capture the memories.
But when he bought the camera, he was shocked. It was huge and so heavy that he needed help from three people just to carry it! And the camera wasn’t the only problem — it came with a big stand, glass plates, and a box full of chemicals.
Back then, cameras used glass plates as negatives. These plates had to be coated with a sticky liquid called collodion, which formed a clear film. That film had light-sensitive chemicals like silver nitrate so that when light hit it, it could capture an image.
Here’s how it worked: you had to coat the glass plate with chemicals, quickly put it into the camera while still wet, click the photo, and rush to a darkroom to develop it. If the plate dried before that, the photo would get ruined.
The process was so complicated that George lost interest in the trip. To him, photography felt more like science lab work than a fun hobby.
That’s when he made a decision — they wanted to make photography simple and easy for everyone.
The Rise of Kodak
George noticed that the biggest issue was the use of wet glass plates. So, he started experimenting with chemicals and came up with dry plates. These could be pre-coated and stored, which meant you didn’t have to carry chemicals with you anymore.
In 1880, he began producing these dry plates and started a company called Eastman Dry Plate Company.
But this was just the beginning. George knew there was still one more big problem — people had to change the plate after every single photo. It was still a lot of work.
So, a few years later, he invented something that would change photography forever — the world’s first roll film.
This flexible film allowed people to take multiple photos and then develop them together. No more changing plates for every picture. This was a game-changer.
George believed this was the right moment to bring photography to the common man. So, in 1888, he launched his first camera. It was called The Kodak Camera.
Why the Name “Kodak”?
So why the name Kodak? What does it mean?
The truth is — it doesn’t mean anything. George Eastman simply liked the sound of it. He wanted a short, sharp, and catchy name that would be easy to remember. And just like that, Kodak was born.
The first camera came with a simple and powerful tagline:
“You press the button, we do the rest.”
And that tagline wasn’t just marketing — it was the truth. Kodak made the entire process of photography so easy that anyone could use a camera, not just professionals.
Kodak’s Golden Era
From there, Kodak just took off. Throughout the 1900s, Kodak became a household name. People trusted the brand for everything photography — cameras, film rolls, even photo printing.
By the 1970s, Kodak was making billions and was one of the most powerful companies in the world.
But behind the success, trouble was quietly building.
What Went Wrong?
Here’s the twist in the story — Kodak actually invented the first digital camera in 1975.
Yes, long before digital photography became popular, Kodak had the technology. But the company chose not to release it. Why? Because they were afraid digital cameras would destroy their film business — their biggest source of income.
So instead of leading the digital revolution, Kodak stayed stuck in the past. Other companies like Sony, Canon, and Nikon stepped in — and soon became the new kings of photography.
Kodak couldn’t keep up with the fast-changing world. And in 2012, it went bankrupt.
So... Is Kodak Still Alive?
Yes! Kodak is still around — just in a different way.
Today, the company makes money in a few smart ways:
- Commercial printing and packaging for businesses
- Selling its brand name to other companies (you may see Kodak-branded products made by others)
- Chemical and pharmaceutical production, especially after COVID
Even though it's no longer a leader in cameras, Kodak is still a profitable company with a powerful brand name.
What We Can Learn from Kodak
Kodak’s story is a mix of genius, success, and missed chances.
Here’s what it teaches us:
- Never be afraid of change — even giants can fall if they don’t adapt
- Innovate, but act on it — having great ideas isn’t enough if you don’t use them
- Brand trust is powerful — even after falling, Kodak’s name still holds value