Eastman Kodak

Company is reorganized as a corporation under the name Eastman Dry Plate and Film Company. Snapshot photography is born through the introduction of the Kodak portable camera. Company is reorganized and incorporated in New Jersey as Eastman Kodak Company. Company introduces motion picture camera, film, and projector for the consumer market. Company enters the copier market with the debut of the Kodak Ektaprint 100 Copier-Duplicator. Kodak enters the market for instant cameras; Polaroid files patent-infringement suit against Kodak. Company expands its health imaging operations with the launch of the Ektachem 400 blood analyzer. A federal appeals court orders Kodak's exit from the instant camera market; a line of alkaline batteries under the Supralife brand is launched; Eastman Pharmaceuticals Division is established. Polaroid's suit against Kodak is settled, with the latter paying the former $925 million. George Fisher becomes the first outsider to head the company; Eastman Chemical is spun off to shareholders. The company's pharmaceutical arm, Sterling Winthrop, its diagnostics products division, and several other nonimaging units are divested. The WTO rules against Kodak in its dispute with Fuji Photo Film over access to the Japanese market; major restructuring is initiated. Kodak Picture Maker debuts; company acquires the DryView laser imaging system from Imation.