The Digital Camera
Steven Sasson's Background
Steven Sasson when he started working at Eastman Kodak in 1973
Source: The New York Times
In 1974, while working at Eastman Kodak, Sasson's supervisor, Gareth Lloyd, asked him to pick between two projects to work on: the exposure controls for XL movie cameras or the imaging performance of the CCD. Sasson chose the CCD project due to his previous knowledge and interest. He had great freedom with his work and ended up developing the digital camera.
Steven Sasson and President Obama at the National Medal of Technology and Innovation awards ceremony. November 17, 2010
Source: Obama White House Archives
Sasson was awarded the 2009 National Medal of Technology and Innovation by President Obama: the medal is the highest honor for technological accomplishment in the United States.
“Often the competition can be fierce, whether in designing a product or securing a grant. And rarely do those who give their all to this pursuit receive the attention or the acclaim they deserve. Yet it is in these labs––often late at night, often fueled by a dangerous combination of coffee and obsession––that our future is being won.”
- President Obama Awarding National Medals of Science, Technology and Innovation, November 17, 2010