Kodak was a big dog in the camera industry in the 20^th century, promoting photography for hobbyists while providing innovative camera technology like its popular Instamatic cameras and even creating the world’s first digital camera in 1975. Basically, Kodak could have been the Apple of photography, but somehow down the line, their focus on new and innovative products ceased to be the focus of their attention and it was all down hill from there. Stuck in the mindset of being a “film” company, Kodak failed at keeping up with the times and wasn’t prepared to face the digital age as well as its competitors (who churn out digital cameras what seems like every month).

Apple was once a company in peril, but thanks to many innovations and a constant eye on the future, they’ve become the company everyone else wants to be and can learn from.

Here’s a look at the history of a what used to be a great American company (they’re 133 years old), who had a promising future only to fall behind the times and become a thing of the past.

The Beginning

1888: The name “Kodak” originates eight years after George Eastman begins commercial production of dry plate for photography. It’s also the year that the Kodak camera is marketed with the slogan, “You press the button, we do the rest.”

1892: Eastman Kodak Company of New York is officially formed

1900: Hobby photography is officially within financial reach for many as Kodak releases the first Brownie camera that sells for $1 and uses film that costs 15 cents a roll.

1929: Kodak takes to Hollywood and releases its first motion picture film.

1935: Kodak introduces its Kodachrome film and is the first commercially successful amateur color film.

1951: Kodak releases a new low-priced Brownie 8mm movie camera, followed by the Brownie movie projector the following year.

1962: Kodak’s work force reaches 75,000 and has U.S. consolidated sales that are more than $1 billion for the first time. Things are looking good for the camera company!

The Golden Years

1963: The popular easy-to-use Instamatic cameras with cartridge-loading film are first introduced.

1969: A Kodak camera was used in by US astronauts on the Apollo 11 mission in 1969 to film the lunar soil from only inches away.

1972: Instamatic cameras are so popular that Kodak releases five new pocket-sized ones that use smaller cartridges.

1975: The year that Kodak invents the first digital camera; a pivotal moment in the evolution of film. The prototype is the size of about a toaster and captures black-and-white images at a resolution of 10,000 pixels (.01 megapixels). Kodak executives will sit on this new revolutionary technology scared it will take away sales from its core business of selling films.

1979: Larry Matteson, a Kodak executive, produces a report that predicted the switch from film to digital all by 2010, he was about five years off, but was still pretty spot-on in his predictions.

1984: Kodak enters the video market with their Kodavision Series 2000 8mm video system and introduces Kodak videotape cassettes in 8mm, Beta and VHS formats, along with a line of floppy disks for computers. It seems they’re innovators of their time, providing consumers with at-the-time current technology, but not entirely focusing on the future of their niche industry and paying any attention or focus to what Larry Matteson predicted for the future. They also pass up being the offer to be the main sponsor of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, which the relatively unknown Fujifilm takes and introduced them as a major competitor to Kodak.

The Beginning of the End

Mid-to-Late 1990s: Digital camera sales increase, competitors look to enhancing the digital future of the camera, while Kodak sits back and doesn’t do much. Film is slowly becoming a thing of the past. Kodak also starts to patent much of the technology used in today’s digital and cell phone cameras. They fail to really market to a youth-driven consumer who, as Apple has experienced, can make or break a product.

Early-2000s: With film sales down, Kodak tried to make money in other markets like drugs to chemicals, with mixed success.

2003: Kodak launches its Easyshare printer dock 6000 that prints durable, boarderless 4” x 6” prints. Digital cameras has exploded in the industry and Kodak now faces many competitors. It seems the Easyshare’s easy-to-use concept would be used and perfected by other companies instead of Kodak building upon its success for better and newer products. Instead of trying to create cell phones using their patents, they focus on printers.

2004: Kodak is ejected from the Dow Jones, begins its digital makeover years too late and cuts thousands of jobs and factories. It’s the wake-up call they needed a few years back.

Mid-2000s: Despite Kodak’s transition to rebrand itself, it can’t compete or assimilate into the digital age and create compelling digital cameras for the market.

2010: Kodak sues Apple and Research in Motion, claiming the smartphone makers are infringing its 2001 patent for technology that lets a camera preview low-resolution versions of a moving image while being able to record still images at higher resolutions. Kodak should have used their own technology and developed their own phone and if they did, they might be sitting happily next to Apple on stock charts instead of becoming a long-lost thought in history.

July 2011: Kodak starts to shop around its 1,100 digital-imaging patents to see if anyone will bite.

September 2011: Kodak hires Jones Day, a law firm that lists bankruptcies and restructuring among its stop specialties.

January 2012: Kodak files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. It has 18 months to turn itself around and get back into shape after being given some credit from Citigroup. The future of Kodak is unclear.

Lessons Learned

Companies, especially those in tech-related industries, can certainly walk away with how not to become obsolete, as Kodak has done.

The biggest lesson to be learned from Kodak’s demise is no matter how big of a company you are, you can never be comfortable in your niche. Companies need to be and stay innovative to stay relevant an in business. Just take a look at Apple who keeps innovating its most popular products into better iterations of themselves. Apple is always working on new projects and looking to release game-changing devise…that it will then perfect with various editions.

In essence, even though Kodak was first at releasing the digital camera, they didn’t follow through with their technology and was left behind. When they didn’t take advantage of what they had, they stopped trying. Unlike them, Apple continues to lead the market because they’re not resting on their laurels and are continuing to think as innovators and leaders.

Office Max is offering plenty of savings on this Kodak EasyShare M577 14MP Digital Camera in Black!

Snap into action with this very low priced offer from Office Max! This Kodak EasyShare Touch camera has the compact style you need to take it anywhere you go. It allows you to quickly snap huge 14-Megapixel photos with complete ease and also offers a 5x Optical Zoom with stabilization and anti-blur. It’s touch interface is very easy to grasp, and soon you will be getting the best photos from every memorable moment. But the features don’t end there, this camera gives you a quick and easy 3-Step sharing system which allows you to not only connect to your PC for quick transfer but also simultaneously to many of your favorite social networks along with directly to email or a Kodak Pulse Digital Frame in your home. Deal will remain for a limited time or as long as supplies last.

50% off the retail price of this camera drops it to $69.99.  Free S&H included

Amazon has a new discount price on this Kodak PlaySport (Zx5) HD Waterproof Pocket Video Camera!

If you’re looking to record quality videos in the great outdoors you must call to attention the conditioning of your equipment. In most cases camcorders and cameras aren’t able to handle the tough environments you may wish to bring it into. But thanks to the power of this PlaySport camcorder from Kodak not only can you handle every environment but capture it all in 1080p. As we mentioned this one is tough and that comes from its dustproof and shockproof design, while also being waterproof at up to 10 feet for nice underwater footage. Digital image stabilization is here as well so you can retain quality even on the go and to make it even nicer it can even capture 5-Megapixel photos on the fly.

40% off and you can get this portable camera for only $108. Delivery is free as always.

Beach Camera via eBay has a splendid deal on this Kodak EasyShare M22 14MP Blue Digital Camera!

Why overspend when all you need is in one discounted package! With this Kodak EasyShare camera in Blue you can easily take large 14-Megapixel photos with incredible ease. Its 28mm Wide-Angel lens takes care of the rest, with its 4x optical zoom and thanks to the Blur Reduction available images will appear crystal clear. Intelligent Scene detection and capture control modes are also built-in; so you don’t have to be an expert to get the best picture by location. You can also take continuous VGA videos with audio capture, as well as beautiful 16:9 photos with incredible ease. It’s also very portable, and will easily fit in your pocket or bag so you can take it with you anywhere.

This camera was cheaper earlier in the day, but they’ve still got it for a promising price.  It’s $84.95 + no shipping = $84.95

Amazon is offering a super bargain price on this Kodak Mini Video Camera with SD Card in Grey!

The convenience you need has just arrived. For a huge discount like this its definitely worth trying out this tiny little camcorder from Kodak. This mini video recorder takes the size of a credit card, but of course can do much more as it can quickly record DVD quality videos with a snap. This model even includes with it a 2GB MicroSD card to get you started immediately with recording while it also has a 1.8-Inch LCD screen for viewing and taking each video. It’s also very easy to connect anywhere and is both Mac and PC compatible. It includes a USB swing arm which quickly initiates the ability to share and edit your videos so everyone can check them out.

64% savings?  Yes please.  Amazon has this camcorder for $35.30, which include free delivery.

Amazon is offering an exciting low price on this Kodak HERO 3.1 Wireless Color Printer with Scanner & Copier!

If you’re looking to print out high quality photos in stunning color on a budget then here’s the printer you need! This full color Kodak printer provides the ability to also scan and copy documents thereby giving it plenty of utility and bang for the buck. It’s main feature of course is its ability to print photos very nicely, and to supplement this you are even able to do so portably from your smartphones via the Google Cloud print app which is available across multiple platforms.The printer itself has a 2.4-Inch color display which not only allows you to control print jobs with ease but also touch up photos, crop, resize or edit the way you need before you print it. That way you save on ink and get it right the first time, and the very affordable ink this machine utilizes makes that even better in the long run.

$79.99 + free shipping make the final price of this all in one printer, with shipping include, $79.99

Abe’s of Maine is slashing the price on this Kodak PLAYSPORT Zx5 Aqua SDHC HD Camcorder!

Get ready to perform some serious video recording in a size so small you can take it with you anywhere! This Kodak PlaySport Digital Camcorder is your ideal companion for recording in intense conditions. It’s built to take on many challenges and it starts with being shockproof, dustproof, and even waterproof at a depth of up to 10 feet. It also offers up some good image stabilization so you can get a smooth picture in even the roughest rides. Don’t forget that it can capture full 1080p High Definition video and has a multitude of modes and settings for getting the best picture quality in even the worst of conditions. For example if can alleviate annoying sun glare thanks to additional lighting modes, so you can get a truly stunning video no matter what.

Get to your cart and you’ll see the final ship price of $107.95.  This is a more than $70 discount over the retail price.

TigerDirect has some excellent savings to share on this Kodak ZM1 Mini Digital Camcorder!

Who says you have to spend a ton to record videos? With this Kodak Mini Camcorder you can capture all of your memories no matter where you are thanks to its super compact size. This Camcorder gives you the ability to take DVD quality videos perfect for uploading to YouTube, Facebook and other sites similar. We weren’t kidding about the size either, which is around the same as a credit card and impressively enough it’s also waterproof. It has compatibility for Micro SD cards so you can capture as much video as you need and thanks to the USB Swing arm connecting to a computer for video sharing is made very simple and easy.

$70 in instant savings makes it just $29.99.  Add $2.29 for S&H

Buy.com via eBay is pushing out a very impressive deal on this Kodak EasyShare ESP 9250 Inkjet Printer and it’s selling fast!

As the name implies and the deal displays you can get your hands on this very powerful and easy to use printer for half the normal price! The Kidak EasyShare ESP 9250 is designed to give you superior print quality and ease of use thanks to the 1200 dpi printing resolution for pure color quality and up to 30 pages per minute of printing speed so you never stay waiting. It also allows you to copy, scan and even fax right from home using its simple interface, and when you mix that with Kodak’s record of saving you money on ink you definitely have a good solution for the fall.

It sells for $100 off the retail price, making it $99.99 with free S&H.

Buydig has some more savings to share with this 12.4MP Kodak EasyShare Camera!

Here’s a very capable camera which can capture all of your memories no matter where you are! This Kodak EasyShare C182 Digital Camera is your ideal photo snapping solution for getting that perfect quality every time. It has a large 12.4 Megapixel CMOS sensor for taking huge photos as well as a 3x Optical zoom enhanced with Blur reduction to immediately improve clarity even without a steady hand. It includes a variety of scene and color modes which can enhance and add that extra flair to your important photos and because of Kodak’s Easyshare software you can not only store, edit and organize your photos but also upload them online to share with friends and family.

Buydig has this Kodak EasyShare C182 12.4MP Compact Camera for only $69.99 – $10.50 coupon (KDSAVE15) + $0 delivery = $59.49!

Best Buy is offering a new discount on this Kodak EasyShare M530 12.2-Megapixel Digital Camera for only $99.99 – $50 Instant Off at Checkout + Free Shipping = $49.99!

If you’re looking for a super affordable Digital Camera which still boasts impressive features then check out this bargain deal! This Green Kodak Easyshare camera boasts a 12.2 Megapixel sensor for taking poster sized high quality photos anywhere you go. It also features a 3x optical zoom and many features like Smart Capture Technology and Face Recognition to make it much easier to get the perfect shot every time. The Kodak share button and built-in USB port make it much easier and quicker to save your photos online at places like Facebook and Flickr and it’s all displayed on the 2.7-Inch LCD display.

5 Star Deals via Ebay has a super low price going for this Kodak ZX3 Playsport Waterproof Video Camera (refurbished) which is only $79.99 + Free Shipping = $79.99!

If you’re looking to venture out there and record all of the wild action then make sure you pack a Camcorder that can handle the elements! That’s just what the Kodask PlaySport is designed to do, it’s completely waterproof at up to 10 feet and can handle all of the grit, dirt, and mud-soaked trails that you intend to dive into! It can record all your videos at full 1080p High Definition as well, so you get every bit of quality you desire and a rocky situation won’t get in the way with full image stabilization to keep all the video smooth. It can also quickly snap large 5 Megapixel 16:9 photos, so you can quickly capture the right moment everytime.

Amazon is offering a slick deal on this Kodak PlaySport (Zx3) HD Waterproof Pocket Video Camera Bundle in Black for only $189 – $79.46 Instant Off + Free Shipping = $109.54!

For a super low price you can get your hands on the Camcorder Bundle that does it all! The Kodak Playsport camcorder is ideal for taking video in almost any environment, from normal home videos to the muddy trails outside and even under water (Up to 10 Feet!) you can capture it all! It captures video in Full HD 1080p as well so you know you’re getting the best quality available and with advanced image stabilization you don’t have to worry about movements and shakes messing with your video. To add to it’s capabilities you can also take high quality 5MP 16:9 still images so you can always save every moment the way you want it. This bundle also includes a Flex-Pod Tripod which can bend and rotate any way you need with it’s innovative feet and shape for taking perfect videos every time, as well as a convenient remote for watching it all on your Big Screen and a large 4GB SDHC card which can hold up to 90 minutes at a time.

Amazon is offering a discount for this Kodak PlaySport (Zx3) HD Waterproof Pocket Video Camera Bundle with the price at just $189 – $79.46 Instant Discount + Free Shipping = $109.54!

This bundle provides you with everything you need for taking video at a super low price! The Kodak Playsport bundle is the perfect setup for recording every moment in full 1080p High Definition for the best image quality available. The super compact camera can be taken with you anywhere so you will always be able to start recording on the fly, and with the included tripod and super compact remote control you can easily jump into the action yourself. The camera is also waterproof for up to 10 feet and is tough enough to fit all your needs. The remote even allows you to control playback when connected to an HDTV via HDMI so you can just sit back comfortably while showing off all of your videos with style. It includes a 4GB SD card which can hold up to 90 minutes of recording.

B&H Photo is selling off this Kodak 8401549 SLICE 14MP Digital Camera for a discount!

Time to get your hands on a super compact camera which packs in powerful features for a discount! This Kodak SLICE digital camera features a huge 14-Megapixel image resolution so you can take poster sized photos at impressive quality. It’s easy to use interface allows you to capture each moment as it happens without delay and the 5x Optical zoom lens will keep it all close and in focus with crispness and clarity. It also has the ability to record High Definition 720p at 30fps with sound and view it all on the large 3.5-inch clear display. With a super thin design you will be able to carry it in any pocket or purse and take it with you anywhere so you will never miss a moment!

The deal comes down to $99.95 + Free Shipping = $99.95!

OfficeMax is selling this Kodak Zi8 HD Camcorder for the lowest price yet!

Experience the quality of full HD Video recording in the palm of your hands without spending a fortune! The Kodak Zi8 HD Camcorder allows you to record in stunning 1080p High Definition to you can capture all your memories in the best picture quality available. Experience superior quality with reduced sharpness with built-in image stabilization, so all your recordings are perfect. It’s very easy to view everything as it happens on the vivid 2.5-Inch screen and perfect to share with others via connection to HDTV or quick uploads to sites like YouTube and Facebook. Contains a swing out USB connector for quick connection to computer for sharing of videos and with a small design like this you can take it anywhere. The price is as compact as the unit, so it’s a hit!

The deal comes to $179.99 – $110 Instant Off + Free Shipping = $69.99!

OfficeMax is selling this KODAK ZI8 (8796062 ) Pocket Video Camera for a bargain price!

If you’re looking for a portable solution for all your of video recording at a budget then take a look at this! The Kodak Z18 Video camera can take full high definition 1080p video for the best quality available! It is ideal for sharing video with your friends and allows quick upload to youtube or watching on a TV/Monitor via HDMI connection which is included. It features a super slim and ergonomic design that will easily fit in your pocket so you can take it with you anywhere and never miss an opportunity to capture the moment. It is very easy to use and provides you with a super vivid 2.5-Inch LCD screen which allows you to view your recordings on the fly.

The price comes to $179.99 – $100 Instant Off + Free Shipping = $79.99!

Buydig is offering a discount on this Kodak EasyShare M530 (1570217) 12MP Digital Camera in Green!

If you like to take big detailed pictures on the go without the drag of a large device to hold you back than the Kodak EasyShare M530 is for you! Easily take the best photos with the huge 12-Megapixel sensor with 3x optical zoom and share them with your friends easily as soon as you get home! This camera is ideal for sharing each and every moment with Kodak’s One-Touch Share button to automatically tag and upload your photos to places like Facebook, Myspace, Flickr and more with ease! Catch each moment as it happens and deliver them with pristine quality, this camera also has full facial recognition so you can easily get who you want into frame and snap the picture with the right angle everytime. This camera also features a stylish and slim body which makes it easy to take with you anywhere you go!

The deal comes to $99.95 – $35 Instant off at Checkout + Free Shipping = $64.95!

• Great for high-drain or continuous heavy use applications
• Low internal resistance
• Sloping voltage discharge characteristics
• Good low temperature performance (-20° to 54° C)