On July 12, 1854 George Eastman was born in Waterville, New York. He would grow up to become the creator of the modern film camera industry with the founding of the Eastman Kodak Company and the invention of roll film. Eastman remained involved with the company throughout his life, but preferred to stay out of the public spotlight. He shunned the camera while other millionaires of the era took great effort to get pictures taken. Eastman enjoyed being able to walk down the streets of Rochester, New York without being recognized, even though he was one of the greatest philanthropists of his era.
He had a philosophy of, "What we do during our working hours determines what we have; what we do in our leisure hours determines what we are." He made yearly visits to Europe, spending significant time touring museums and expanding his personal art collection. But in 1930, he began to suffer from severe pain in his back. He was diagnosed with a degenerative disorder affecting his spine, and he set out to put his affairs in order.
For two years he endured the pain while depression took hold. He had watched his mother spend the last two years of her life in a wheelchair, suffering from the same condition. On March 14, 1932 George Eastman took his own life with a single gunshot to the heart. He left behind a note which read, "To my friends, my work is done. Why wait?"
-Professor Walter
Comments