In 1932 George Eastman, the 77 year old entrepreneur who established the Eastman Kodak Company, popularized the use of roll film, and brought photography to the mainstream, found himself in declining health. Suffering from lumbar spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal that can lead to considerable back pain and difficulty walking, Eastman was depressed and increasingly disabled. On March 14th, he committed suicide by firing a single gunshot through his heart. An act as brief, and to the point, as the note he left behind. It read:
To my friends
My work is done
Why wait?
GE
If you would like to sign up for Open Culture’s free email newsletter, please find it here.
If you would like to support the mission of Open Culture, consider making a donation to our site. It’s hard to rely 100% on ads, and your contributions will help us continue providing the best free cultural and educational materials to learners everywhere. You can contribute through PayPal, Patreon, Venmo (@openculture) and Crypto. Thanks!
Related Content:
How Film Was Made: A Kodak Nostalgia Moment
Early Experiments in Color Film (1895-1935)
Anne Sexton, Confessional Poet, Reads “Wanting to Die” in Ominous 1966 Video
To answer his question: he could have improved his handwriting.
Now THAT is a Kodak moment.
He had vision, a sad end.
I have a deep respect for the man, his life, and his decision at the end. The choice to not suffer some protracted descent into physical inability and pain, and to retain what dignity a person can is difficult but practical. Giving up life in favor of escaping pain. Wow! I hope it isn’t that way for me.
The famous last words never spoken. I admire him for have the balls to do it.
he must have seen the future..managment killed the company
Did you work for Kodak. I’m looking for a Bart that Did?
Studies of people with stenosis of the spine show that there are many who don’t have pain with it It dosn’t prove that stenosis is a cause. Look up dr
michael sarno and TMS, TensioMyositis syndrome. Read his books.