SCHUMER ANNOUNCES ROCHESTER RESIDENT TO RECEIVE NATION'S HIGHEST SCIENCE AWARD FOR ROLE IN INVENTING DIGITAL CAMERA
Steven Sasson's Contribution to Digital Camera Helped Build Kodak's $3.1 Billion Digital Imaging Business
Schumer Personally Nominated Sasson to Commerce Department
Schumer: Sasson's Contribution Has Changed Economy, Brought Enormous Pride to Rochester
On Monday, United States Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that Steven J. Sasson, of Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester has received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation for his role in the creation of the digital camera. The National Medal of Technology and Innovation is the highest honor bestowed by the United States Government on scientists, engineers, and inventors.
"Steve's invention of the digital camera revolutionized the photography industry and created an entirely new market sector while ensuring that the Eastman Kodak Company continues to be a pillar of industry in Rochester," said Schumer. "Steve's contribution has an impact on the world every day and the fact that it all started in Rochester is an enormous source of pride for the entire region."
The National Medal of Technology and Innovation is an outgrowth of a 1980 statute and is administered for the White House by the U.S. Department of Commerce's U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The award recognizes those who have made lasting contributions to America's competitiveness and quality of life and have helped strengthen the Nation's technological workforce. Nominees are selected by a distinguished independent committee representing both the private and public sectors.
Schumer nominated Mr. Sasson for the National Medal of Technology and Innovation in 2009 to recognize the enormous contribution his invention has made to society. Sasson's role in the invention of the digital camera in the 1970s played a fundamental part in the transformation of the imaging industry from film-based to almost entirely digital, and the transformation of Kodak within that industry. Kodak's ability to make that transition from film to digital has been a huge boon for New York's economy. Since Sasson's invention Kodak has generated $3.1 billion in the digital imaging sector.
The full text of Schumer's letter to the Department of Commerce's United States Patent and Trademark Office can be seen below:
National Medal of Technology and Innovation
Attention: Jennifer Lo, Program Manager
United States Patent and Trademark Office
P.O. Box 1450
Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
Re: Nomination of Steven Sasson for the National Medal of Technology and Innovation
Dear NMTI Committee Members:
I am pleased support the nomination of Mr. Steven Sasson for the National Medal of Technology and Innovation for his invention of the digital camera.
In my travels across New York, I have seen first-hand the impact Steve's innovation has had on the way we take pictures. He is part of a long line of innovators at the Eastman Kodak Company who have brought convenient, user-friendly cameras to the everyday consumer. Kodak has long been a pillar of industry in Rochester, providing jobs, economic stability, leadership in philanthropy, and a source of pride for the region.
In recent years we have watched the transformation of the imaging industry from film-based to almost entirely digital, and the transformation of Kodak within that industry. In my last visit to there, I was impressed with Kodak's foresight and eagerness to embrace the ever-changing technology of this industry. Kodak's ability to make that transformation is extremely significant for the economy of New York, and Steve's invention has no doubt played a vital role in facilitating that, as evidenced by Kodak's $3.1 billion consumer digital imaging business.
Kodak's success in digital imaging is critical to the well-being of my constituents in upstate New York, who rely on Kodak's leadership. Were it not for Steve's invention, which allowed for the creation of an entirely new market sector, Kodak's ability to compete in the global imaging market would have been substantially impacted - as would the economic health of the region. Steve's invention allowed Kodak to navigate the crucial transition from an analog world to a digital world, and for that my constituents and I are grateful.
Again, I strongly support the nomination of my constituent, Steve Sasson, for the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. Thank you for your consideration, and I wish you all the best as you begin the process of selecting this year's award recipient.
Sincerely,
Charles Schumer
United States Senator