In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Steven Sasson who invented the digital camera while working at Kodak, earning him The National Medal of Technology and Innovation award. Steven Sasson shares the story of how digital photography came to be, the many inventions that made it more accessible to eventually take the place of film photography. Steven Sasson also talks about the support for the invention at Kodak and the many cultural and leadership challenges that got in the way of Kodak taking full advantage of the technology.

Some highlights:

- Steven Sasson’s love for tinkering with technology

- Why Steven Sasson chose to work at Kodak

- Conceptualizing and envisioning the first handheld electronic camera

- The first image taken with the first prototype of the portable digital camera

- Kodak’s initial reaction to Steven Sasson’s invention and questions for the future of digital technology

- How the support and belief of Steven Sasson’s supervisor motivated him to push his idea forward despite doubts from Kodak executives

- Why Steven Sasson’s project was kept secret by Kodak for many years

- The story behind ECAM, the first operational DSLR camera

- The story behind QuickTake 100, Kodak’s collaboration with Apple

- Cultural and leadership challenges preventing Kodak from being able to take full advantage of digital photography

- How internal struggles, and short-sighted decisions impacted Kodak

- Steven Sasson’s experience receiving The National Medal of Technology and Innovation award from President Barack Obama in 2009

Mentioned:

Don Reinertsen, author

Gareth Lloyd, former supervisor at Kodak

Jim Sheckler, former technician at Kodak

Gilda Radner, actress and comedian

Joy Marshall, former laboratory technician at Kodak

Steve Jobs, co-founder and former chairman and CEO of Apple

Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple

Dr. Majid Rabbani, former fellow at Kodak

Dr. Brad Paxton, former director at Kodak

Robert Hills, co-inventor of the first DSLR camera

Jim McGarvey, former lead engineer at Kodak

George M. C. Fisher, former CEO of Kodak

Daniel Allen Carp, former chairman and CEO of Kodak

Antonio M. Pérez, former CEO of Kodak

Barack Obama, 44th U.S. President

Pete Souza, former Chief Official White House Photographer

Connect with Steven Sasson:

Steven Sasson on LinkedIn

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn

Partnering Leadership Website

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