George Eastman
Eastman Kodak Company
American Technology
Imaging solutions and
services for businesses
Use of roll film
bring photography to the
mainstream
major philanthropist
dominant position in photographic film
1932:
George Eastman dies, taking his own life with a gun shot.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Eastman
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastman_Kodak#History
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Eastman
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastman_Kodak#History
Sydney's poem reminds us of how the lives of seemingly important people can often be reduced almost to headlines or buzzwords. This poem highlights some of Eastman's primary accomplishments: making photography accessible to the masses, using rolls of film, providing imaging services for businesses (which upped the game for things like advertising), and his philanthropic contributions. At the same time, the poem reveals a tragic end to an influential life, much like the biography Dos Passos made for Frederick Winslow Taylor in THE BIG MONEY, who never quite saw the American Plan in full fruition because he died of pneumonia following a breakdown. This poem also reminds us indirectly of Dos Passos' biography of Ford, whose accomplishments were quickly obsolete. Similarly, Eastman's accomplishments with photography are almost obsolete today because we have moved mostly to digital photography, and the company is a shadow of its former self.
ReplyDeleteThis is very well constructed in form and has a choppy yet flowing style to it. The power of a single word is illustrated here. With such few word in an obituary, every word has power to it and weighs heavy into the image painted by the writer. Its a reminder that words are a form of art and can paint an image and the writer must choose the correct shades, colors and lines to contour the desired image.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy the rhythm of this poem. Most of the time when reading literature I get very bored and loose interest easily. I find that I do this most often in small readings because I find them useless but this poem changes my point of view. I love the way the information is laid out and delivered. Sydney has done a very great job of giving us the highlights of George Eastman and his many accomplishments in short little tid bits without having to drag on about his life. After looking at this found poem I do believe I will start looking at all writing pieces a lot differently because they could be full of interesting facts!
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