The creator of Eastman Kodak Company, George Eastman, was born on July 12th, 1854 in the village of Waterville, about twenty miles southwest of Utica, New York, to Maria Kilbourn and George Washington Eastman. When George was about five years old, his father sold the family's nursery business and moved to Rochester, where George grew up. When George was thirteen years old, his father tragically passed away, leaving George and his mother in financial trouble. At the age of fourteen, George dropped out of school to work and help his mother pay debts that were owed.

When George was twenty-four years of age, he had decided to take a vacation in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. A fellow co-worker had suggested bringing along a camera to take some pictures. George acknowledged the suggestion and bought a camera outfit. Unfortunately, the camera was as big as current-day microwave and required a...