History

Kodak Australasia's long history stretches back over 140 years to the 1880s. Discover the entrepreneurs who founded Kodak’s photographic manufacturing and marketing operations in Australia.

Thomas Baker

Thomas Baker (1854–1928) made a fortune as a photographic manufacturer in Australia and gave much of his wealth away.

Alice Baker

Alice Baker, nee Shaw (1855–1935) was a prominent Melburnian, a philanthropist and a champion of women’s causes.

John Joseph Rouse

John Joseph (JJ) Rouse (1862–1938) made a name for himself as a hugely successful photographic retailer and a generous philanthropist.

Portrait of a man wearing a hat and glassess

Edgar Rouse

Edgar Rouse (1894–1974) was born at Queenscliffe, his family’s home in Sydney, to parents John Joseph ‘JJ’ Rouse, Kodak managing director, and Anna Rouse, née Elsdon.

A small box reading 'Baker's Gelatine Plates' on the lid

Thomas Baker's photographic plates

It is 1884, and three people are hard at work in the darkened, underground cellar of their home by the Yarra River in Abbotsford, Melbourne, making photographic plates.

Baker & Rouse

In 1887 Thomas Baker joined with photographic salesman John Joseph (JJ) Rouse to form a new business named Baker & Rouse.

Shopfront with large billboard on top of awning

In 1908, 24 years after Thomas Baker made his first dry plates in his home cellar, the company he co-owned with JJ Rouse, known as Baker & Rouse Pty Ltd, merged with George Eastman‘s American based company, Eastman Kodak Company, to become Australian Kodak Limited.