TODAY’S PATRIOT

People Who Made America Great

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George Eastman

George Eastman (1854–1932) was a visionary American entrepreneur and inventor who fundamentally transformed photography from a complex, professional craft into a global pastime. Born in 1854 and passing away in 1932, he founded the Eastman Kodak Company and revolutionized the industry by introducing flexible roll film. His 1888 slogan, “You press the button, we do the rest,” captured his mission to simplify technology for the masses, effectively democratizing the ability to capture memories and paving the way for the motion picture industry.

A dedicated philanthropist, Eastman’s legacy extends far beyond the camera lens through his massive contributions to education, health, and the arts. He was particularly focused on his home city of Rochester, New York, where he established the Eastman School of Music and provided significant funding to the University of Rochester and MIT (often donating anonymously as “Mr. Smith”).