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On September 4, 1888, George Eastman received U.S. Patent No. 388,850 for a camera. The Kodak had already been launched publicly earlier that summer, so the patent date marks a legal milestone—not the camera’s debut.
The patent covered improvements to camera construction and mechanisms for the shutter and film holder. The Kodak’s significance also came from its novice-friendly operation and the service model behind the slogan, “You press the button, we do the rest.”
What Eastman patented on September 4, 1888
U.S. Patent No. 388,850 is titled “Camera” and names George Eastman as inventor. Eastman filed the application on March 30, 1888; it was granted on September 4. The patent specification describes improvements to cameras, including construction, shutter, and roll-holder arrangements.
Eastman patented particular camera improvements—not photography itself or the camera as a general invention. The patent record concerns camera mechanisms and the use of prepared film.
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The Kodak was launched before the patent grant
The George Eastman Museum says the Kodak was publicly launched in summer 1888. The patent grant followed on September 4. These are separate events: the launch made the camera available to the public, while the patent granted legal protection for Eastman’s described camera improvements.
| Milestone | What it records |
|---|---|
| Summer 1888 | The Kodak camera was publicly launched, according to the George Eastman Museum. |
| September 4, 1888 | U.S. Patent No. 388,850 was granted to George Eastman. |
| September 4, 1888 | Kodak name trademark No. 15,825 was also dated to this day, as a separate record. |
How the original Kodak camera worked
The George Eastman Museum describes the Kodak as a box-style camera designed for novice users. Its operation was simplified, though taking a photograph still involved more than pressing a button:
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- Pull the string to arm the shutter.
- Aim the camera.
- Press the shutter release to take the photograph.
The camera was part of a broader offering, not just a piece of equipment. Kodak’s marketing slogan, “You press the button, we do the rest,” captured the promise of a simple user experience supported by the company’s service.
Patent and trademark were distinct
The camera patent and the Kodak name trademark were separate rights and records. The patent addressed technical camera improvements; the trademark record concerned the Kodak name. The George Eastman Museum dates both patent 388,850 and trademark 15,825 to September 4, 1888.
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What came next
The 1888 patent should not be confused with later developments. Kodak’s company history says Eastman marketed the first commercial transparent roll film in 1889, a milestone separate from the patent grant. The George Eastman Museum says the company name changed to Eastman Kodak Company in 1892.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
What did George Eastman patent on September 4, 1888?
He received U.S. Patent No. 388,850, titled “Camera,” for improvements to camera construction and mechanisms including the shutter and film holder.
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When was the first Kodak camera released?
The George Eastman Museum says the Kodak was publicly launched in summer 1888, before Eastman’s patent was granted that September.
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No. The camera patent and the trademark for the Kodak name were separate records. The museum dates patent 388,850 and trademark 15,825 to September 4, 1888.
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How did the original Kodak camera work?
According to the George Eastman Museum, the user pulled a string to arm the shutter, aimed the box-style camera, and pressed the shutter release.
Quick Recap
Sources
- United States Patent Office record, US388850A
- George Eastman Museum, “From the Camera Obscura to the Revolutionary Kodak”
- Kodak, “History”
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