How Kodak Engineered Its Own Demise (Literally)
6/1/202649 min
Kodak didn’t make a mistake. The digital camera was invented in their own building but it was missing more than film. It was missing a business model.
0:00 Intro
3:15 Two Truths & A Lie
4:15 The Man Who Gave Everyone A Camera
15:40 Advertising Done To Perfection
23:06 Welcome Steve
35:25 The Point
39:15 The Ending
44:10 Two Truths & A lie
Madmen Scene - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rq3n2sJ43Hg&t=4s
A Long Time In Finance w/ Steve Sasson - https://open.spotify.com/episode/407q6PT4umq9BVECyJsLhy
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsChris Kohler· Host0:00
This is the story I probably talk about the most. I talk about Kodak in speeches, in videos, in interviews. I talk about why the story surrounding the digital camera is so relevant today, the way it was created inside the world's biggest film company, the way it was swept under the rug, and what happened once it eventually found its way out. I'll give the game away early here. I think that Kodak is a perfect allegory for what's happening with AI right now, and hopefully you'll see what I mean soon. But before we get into those lofty comparisons, let's get into what might be one of the greatest business downfall stories of them all. I'm Chris Kohler. This is How We Got Here, and today we are talking about Kodak. I'm joined, as always, by my producer, Rob. Rob?
Rob· Host0:43
Hello.
Chris Kohler· Host0:44
What do you know about photography? [laughs] He asks as I'm surrounded by cameras.
Rob· Host0:48
Yeah, there's a few cameras in this room. Um, I'll reveal a little secret off the top of the show. I failed Photography 101 at university- Oh ... so, um, just triple-checking everything's in focus today. [laughs] But yeah.
Chris Kohler· Host0:58
Didn't hold you back. Here we are.
Rob· Host1:00
Did- didn't hold me back. Um, look, if that teacher could see me now.
Chris Kohler· Host1:03
Exactly. Cop that. Do you remember the teacher's name?
Rob· Host1:05
No, I can't.
Chris Kohler· Host1:06
All right. No shout-outs to that teacher, but, uh, everything's in focus, everything's going well.
Rob· Host1:09
Everything's on.
Chris Kohler· Host1:10
All right.
Rob· Host1:10
Everything's on. We're recording.
Chris Kohler· Host1:11
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