Kodak’s fall: How the photo giant missed the digital momentfrom market leader to missed opportunity. In the late 1990s, Kodak ruled the camera world. The company owned more than 70 per cent of global film sales and earned healthy profits from prints and chemicals at that time. Yet in 1975, Kodak engineer Steve Sasson had already built the first digital camera inside the company’s own lab. Managers praised the prototype and then shelved it, fearing it would hurt film sales.Kodak kept faith in its Symbian-based hardware and low-cost point-and-shoot models, while rivals such as Sony, Canon, and, later, Apple invested in digital sensors and easy-to-use software.<h2>Wrong bets, slow decisions</h2>Internal studies warned that digital photography would surpass film within ten years. Instead of preparing, Kodak poured money into improving film quality. In 1996, it spent US $500 million on the Advantix Preview camera, which let users review pictures, but still required film and paid prints. Consumers asked: Why buy film if a digital camera can store images for free?Corporate choices deepened the slide: 1988: Kodak buys Sterling Drug for US $5.1 billion, later selling the unit at roughly half the price.<h2> Major decisions</h2>In 1989, Directors choose a film-focused Chief Executive over a digital champion, slowing change.&nbsp;2011: After years of losses, Kodak sells most patents to raise cash; in 2012 the company files for bankruptcy protection.&nbsp;By the time Kodak joined Microsoft to launch Lumia-branded camera phones in 2014, users were already loyal to the iPhone and Android ecosystems. Film sales had collapsed, and Kodak’s handset venture also failed.<h2>Lessons for today’s businessmen</h2>Business historians note the four main reasons for Kodak’s fall:&nbsp;Closed mindset – leadership ignored ideas that threatened short-term profit.&nbsp;Hardware tunnel vision – Engineers perfected film while competitors built software platforms and app stores.&nbsp;Slow strategy shift – Kodak excelled at mass production (make-and-sell) but never switched to an anticipate-and-lead model for a fast-moving market.&nbsp;Poor use of data – The firm collected strong market research, but failed to act on it.&nbsp;Today, the brand survives in specialist printing and imaging, but its consumer camera crown is gone. Kodak’s story reminds all companies that past success does not secure the future.

Kodak once led the camera market in the world, however, they missed the digital shift. Despite inventing the first digital camera, It feared hurting film sales. slow decisions and focus on old tech led to decline. Now in printing, Kodak’s fall.

Kodak’s fall: How the photo giant missed the digital moment from market leader to missed opportunity. In the late 1990s, Kodak ruled the camera world. The company owned more than 70 per cent of global film sales and earned healthy profits from prints and chemicals at that time. Yet in 1975, Kodak engineer Steve Sasson had already built the first digital camera inside the company’s own lab. Managers praised the prototype and then shelved it, fearing it would hurt film sales. Kodak kept faith in its Symbian-based hardware and low-cost point-and-shoot models, while rivals such as Sony, Canon, and, later, Apple invested in digital sensors and easy-to-use software. Wrong bets, slow decisions Internal studies warned that digital photography would surpass film within ten years. Instead of preparing, Kodak poured money into improving film quality. In 1996, it spent US $500 million on the Advantix Preview camera, which let users review pictures, but still required film and paid prints. Consumers asked: Why buy film if a digital camera can store images for free? Corporate choices deepened the slide: 1988: Kodak buys Sterling Drug for US $5.1 billion, later selling the unit at roughly half the price. Major decisions In 1989, Directors choose a film-focused Chief Executive over a digital champion, slowing change. 2011: After years of losses, Kodak sells most patents to raise cash; in 2012 the company files for bankruptcy protection. By the time Kodak joined Microsoft to launch Lumia-branded camera phones in 2014, users were already loyal to the iPhone and Android ecosystems. Film sales had collapsed, and Kodak’s handset venture also failed. Lessons for today’s businessmen Business historians note the four main reasons for Kodak’s fall: Closed mindset – leadership ignored ideas that threatened short-term profit. Hardware tunnel vision – Engineers perfected film while competitors built software platforms and app stores. Slow strategy shift – Kodak excelled at mass production (make-and-sell) but never switched to an anticipate-and-lead model for a fast-moving market. Poor use of data – The firm collected strong market research, but failed to act on it. Today, the brand survives in specialist printing and imaging, but its consumer camera crown is gone. Kodak’s story reminds all companies that past success does not secure the future.

Kodak once led the camera market in the world, however, they missed the digital shift. Despite inventing the first digital camera, It feared hurting film sales. slow decisions and focus on old tech led to decline. Now in printing, Kodak’s fall.

Kodak’s Downfall: The camera king that missed the digital revolution

In an effort to reduce screen time among young people, several universities in France have prohibited the use of laptops and other digital devices during lectures, requiring students to take notes by hand. Among the key institutes taking this decision are the Institute of Political Studies in Rennes, the Free Faculty of Philosophy and Psychology in Paris, as well as Ircom, a private college in Angers.&nbsp;<h2>Focus on reducing distractions&nbsp;</h2>University officials argue that the policy aims to eliminate distractions and enhance students' focus in class, according to a report by The Times. Gabriel Medaouar from the Catholic University of the West in Angers said, “Our lecturers should not have to teach in front of students who are distracted.” &nbsp;&nbsp;He emphasised that students are aware of this policy when they enroll and quickly adapt to the handwritten approach. “When students enrol here, they know that they won’t be able to write on computers. They adapt to it very well,” he told Le Figaro.&nbsp;<h2>Wider adoption across institutions&nbsp;</h2>This new initiative isn't limited to one university. The Institute of Political Studies in Rennes has enforced the handwritten note rule for first- and second-year students. Similarly, the Free Faculty of Philosophy and Psychology in Paris and the political science programme at Ircom, a private college in Angers, have also adopted this approach. Ircom, however, allows exceptions for students with disabilities who cannot write by hand.&nbsp;&nbsp;In some cases, lecturers are taking matters into their own hands, banning screens in their classrooms regardless of university-wide policies. Julien Damon, who teaches at the Sciences Po in Paris, said that although some students type notes, many end up browsing online, replying to messages, or shopping. “Some students do take notes on computers but many reply to messages, shop or go on social media,” Damon said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Some lecturers argue that digital devices hinder the teacher-student connection. Alexis Buixan of Sciences Po in Rennes said that screens make interactions feel robotic.&nbsp;“Sometimes you feel as if you’re dealing with robotised young people who note everything without asking themselves any questions. That dehumanises the teacher-student relationship,” Buixan said.&nbsp;<h2>Psychologists back handwritten notes&nbsp;</h2>Experts suggest that handwritten notes can lead to better retention and understanding. Thierry Olive, a psychologist at France’s National Centre for Scientific Research, explained that writing by hand is slower than typing, which forces students to summarise key points and focus more. “Students go more slowly by hand than on a keyboard and this forces them to select the most important information and shorten their notes so they don’t miss anything. It obliges them to concentrate more and helps them retain more information,” he said.&nbsp;<h2>A global trend&nbsp;</h2>This shift toward handwriting is gaining traction beyond France. Harvard University in the US advises students that handwritten notes can enhance learning outcomes, suggesting a growing international recognition of its benefits.&nbsp;<h2>Push to reduce screen exposure in youth&nbsp;</h2>France appears to be at the forefront of efforts to limit screen exposure for children. Health Minister Catherine Vautrin proposed legislation banning screen use for children under three. While she admits enforcement won’t involve legal penalties for parents, she believes families will comply once it becomes law.&nbsp;<h2>Latest measures against online influence&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>Following the stabbing of a teaching assistant near a school in France, allegedly by a 14-year-old on June 10, French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to restrict social media access for those under 15. In a post on X on June 11, he wrote, “This is a recommendation from the experts on the Screens Commission: I'm banning social media for children under 15. Platforms have the ability to verify age. Let's do it.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Several universities in France have prohibited the use of laptops and other digital devices during lectures, requiring students to take notes by hand. 

In an effort to reduce screen time among young people, several universities in France have prohibited the use of laptops and other digital devices during lectures, requiring students to take notes by hand. Among the key institutes taking this decision are the Institute of Political Studies in Rennes, the Free Faculty of Philosophy and Psychology in Paris, as well as Ircom, a private college in Angers. Focus on reducing distractions University officials argue that the policy aims to eliminate distractions and enhance students' focus in class, according to a report by The Times. Gabriel Medaouar from the Catholic University of the West in Angers said, “Our lecturers should not have to teach in front of students who are distracted.” He emphasised that students are aware of this policy when they enroll and quickly adapt to the handwritten approach. “When students enrol here, they know that they won’t be able to write on computers. They adapt to it very well,” he told Le Figaro. Wider adoption across institutions This new initiative isn't limited to one university. The Institute of Political Studies in Rennes has enforced the handwritten note rule for first- and second-year students. Similarly, the Free Faculty of Philosophy and Psychology in Paris and the political science programme at Ircom, a private college in Angers, have also adopted this approach. Ircom, however, allows exceptions for students with disabilities who cannot write by hand. In some cases, lecturers are taking matters into their own hands, banning screens in their classrooms regardless of university-wide policies. Julien Damon, who teaches at the Sciences Po in Paris, said that although some students type notes, many end up browsing online, replying to messages, or shopping. “Some students do take notes on computers but many reply to messages, shop or go on social media,” Damon said. Some lecturers argue that digital devices hinder the teacher-student connection. Alexis Buixan of Sciences Po in Rennes said that screens make interactions feel robotic. “Sometimes you feel as if you’re dealing with robotised young people who note everything without asking themselves any questions. That dehumanises the teacher-student relationship,” Buixan said. Psychologists back handwritten notes Experts suggest that handwritten notes can lead to better retention and understanding. Thierry Olive, a psychologist at France’s National Centre for Scientific Research, explained that writing by hand is slower than typing, which forces students to summarise key points and focus more. “Students go more slowly by hand than on a keyboard and this forces them to select the most important information and shorten their notes so they don’t miss anything. It obliges them to concentrate more and helps them retain more information,” he said. A global trend This shift toward handwriting is gaining traction beyond France. Harvard University in the US advises students that handwritten notes can enhance learning outcomes, suggesting a growing international recognition of its benefits. Push to reduce screen exposure in youth France appears to be at the forefront of efforts to limit screen exposure for children. Health Minister Catherine Vautrin proposed legislation banning screen use for children under three. While she admits enforcement won’t involve legal penalties for parents, she believes families will comply once it becomes law. Latest measures against online influence Following the stabbing of a teaching assistant near a school in France, allegedly by a 14-year-old on June 10, French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to restrict social media access for those under 15. In a post on X on June 11, he wrote, “This is a recommendation from the experts on the Screens Commission: I'm banning social media for children under 15. Platforms have the ability to verify age. Let's do it.”

Several universities in France have prohibited the use of laptops and other digital devices during lectures, requiring students to take notes by hand.&nbsp;

Old school way: Why are French Universities prohibiting laptops in classrooms?

Another month, another astronomical event, and this month the summer solstice. The event that marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere.People in the Northern Hemisphere will witness the longest day of the year, the June Solstice, which takes place on either June 20 or June 21, depending on your time zone.What is the summer solstice?The summer solstice, often referred to as the June Solstice, marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the Southern Hemisphere. Occurring on either June 20 or June 21, depending on your time zone, it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere with early sunrises, late sunsets, short nights, and extended daylight. On this day, the sun reaches its highest position in the sky.What’s the science behind it?The summer solstice occurs when Earth’s axis is tilted most directly toward the Sun. According to NASA, this change in season is due to the 23.5-degree tilt of the Earth’s axis compared to its orbit around the sun, allowing the most direct sunlight to reach the Northern Hemisphere this month.Earth’s axial tilt causes seasonal changes. During the June Solstice, the Northern Hemisphere receives the most direct sunlight, resulting in the year's longest day. &nbsp;Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere experiences its shortest day, marking the start of winter in countries like Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand.Cultural significanceThe summer solstice holds profound cultural and practical importance. It influences religious rituals, guides agricultural practices such as determining when to harvest crops, and plays a key role in the development of various calendars worldwide.When is the summer solstice in 2025?In 2025, the summer solstice will begin at 2:42 UTC on June 21 and 10:42 p.m. EDT on June 20.&nbsp;

Summer Solstice explained - what it is, time and understanding the science behind Earth's longest day

Another month, another astronomical event, and this month the summer solstice. The event that marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. People in the Northern Hemisphere will witness the longest day of the year, the June Solstice, which takes place on either June 20 or June 21, depending on your time zone. What is the summer solstice? The summer solstice, often referred to as the June Solstice, marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the Southern Hemisphere. Occurring on either June 20 or June 21, depending on your time zone, it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere with early sunrises, late sunsets, short nights, and extended daylight. On this day, the sun reaches its highest position in the sky. What’s the science behind it? The summer solstice occurs when Earth’s axis is tilted most directly toward the Sun. According to NASA, this change in season is due to the 23.5-degree tilt of the Earth’s axis compared to its orbit around the sun, allowing the most direct sunlight to reach the Northern Hemisphere this month. Earth’s axial tilt causes seasonal changes. During the June Solstice, the Northern Hemisphere receives the most direct sunlight, resulting in the year's longest day. Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere experiences its shortest day, marking the start of winter in countries like Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. Cultural significance The summer solstice holds profound cultural and practical importance. It influences religious rituals, guides agricultural practices such as determining when to harvest crops, and plays a key role in the development of various calendars worldwide. When is the summer solstice in 2025? In 2025, the summer solstice will begin at 2:42 UTC on June 21 and 10:42 p.m. EDT on June 20.

People in the Northern Hemisphere will witness the longest day of the year, the June Solstice, which takes place on either June 20 or June 21, depending on your time zone.

Summer Solstice explained - what it is, time and understand the science behind Earth's longest day

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Kodak’s Downfall: The camera king that missed the digital revolution

Old school way: Why are French Universities prohibiting laptops in classrooms?

Summer Solstice explained: What it is, time & science behind Earth's longest day