George Eastman (July 12, 1854–March 14, 1932) is well known for bringing photography to the masses through Eastman Kodak Company and for his generous philanthropy.
During his lifetime, he gave more than $50 million to the University, fully half of the $100 million he donated to all causes over his lifetime. In today’s dollars, this would be more than 10 times the value than in George’s time. The Eastman School of Music, Eastman Quadrangle on the River Campus, and Eastman Institute for Oral Health are all named for George. A larger-than-life statue of George on the Eastman Quadrangle was dedicated in 2009 to celebrate the launch of the George Eastman Circle.
In honor of what would’ve been his 162nd birthday, here are a few lesser-known facts about the famed businessman and inventor.
- Eastman’s philanthropic relationship with the University began in 1899 with the gift of a single Kodak camera to a geology professor.
- His first camera was sold with the slogan, “You press the button—we do the rest.”
- Eastman was a talented baker and he reportedly made a mean lemon meringue pie—one that was served to Nobel Prize-winning physicist Robert Millikan during a visit to Eastman’s home.
Get the recipe and try it yourself! - He has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to honor his contributions to motion pictures—one on Vine Street and one near Kodak Theatre.
- Eastman came up with the name Kodak because he liked the letter “k,” the Kodak website explains. “It seems a strong, incisive sort of letter,” Eastman said. “It became a question of trying out a great number of combinations of letters that made words starting and ending with ‘K.’ The word ‘Kodak’ is the result.”
More on George
- The George Eastman Papers Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation
- Eastman’s Legacy
- George Eastman Museum
Video from 2008 celebrates George Eastman’s legacy on his 150th birthday.
