science · 14 October 1884 · 140 years ago
In 1884, the first U.S. patent for transparent paper-strip photographic film on a temporary paper backing was issued to George Eastman of Rochester, N.Y. (No. 306,594). The film consisted of a layer of paper and a coating of insoluble sensitized gelatin emulsion, separated by a layer of soluble gelatin to enable separation after developing the exposed film. He invented this film in Feb 1884 and applied for the patent the next month. It was flexible, could be wrapped compactly on a roller and used within a roll-holder instead of the glass plate photographic materials then in use. It offered greater convenience, less weight and freedom from breakage. He began commercial manufacturing of the product on 26 Mar 1885
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