September 4, 1888: A Landmark Day in Kodak History

On September 4, 1888, George Eastman reached two milestones that would help shape the future of photography.

That day, Eastman received a U.S. patent for the shutter mechanism used in his new handheld Kodak camera. The name “Kodak” was also officially registered as a trademark by the Eastman Dry Plate and Film Company in Rochester, New York.

The timing was significant. Earlier that year, Eastman had introduced the original Kodak camera, a simple box camera preloaded with enough film for 100 photographs. Its design helped move photography beyond studios and dedicated hobbyists, making picture-taking accessible to a much broader public.

The process was intentionally simple. Customers took their photographs, mailed the entire camera back to Rochester, and Eastman’s company handled the developing, printing and reloading before returning the camera to its owner. The idea was summed up in the now-famous slogan: “You press the button, we do the rest.”

It was an important shift in the history of photography. Eastman was not simply developing a new camera; he was creating a system that removed much of the technical knowledge previously required to make a photograph. Photography could increasingly become part of everyday life.

September 4 can therefore be thought of as something of a birthday for the Kodak name. On September 4, 2026, the trademark marks its 138th anniversary.

One historical footnote: the company was not yet known as Eastman Kodak Company in 1888. At the time, it operated as the Eastman Dry Plate and Film Company. The Eastman Kodak Company name would not be adopted until 1892.

For those of us with ties to Rochester and its photographic history, September 4 is a small but meaningful date — a reminder of the moment a five-letter name began its journey toward becoming one of the most recognizable names in photography.