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 technologyWhy Steven Sasson chose to work at KodakConceptualizing and envisioning the first handheld electronic cameraThe first image taken with the first prototype of the portable digital cameraKodak’s initial reaction to Steven Sasson’s invention and questions for the future of digital technologyHow the support and belief of Steven Sasson’s supervisor motivated him to push his idea forward despite doubts from Kodak executivesWhy Steven Sasson’s project was kept secret by Kodak for many yearsThe 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 photographyHow internal struggles, and short-sighted decisions impacted KodakSteven Sasson’s experience receiving The National Medal of Technology and Innovation award from President Barack Obama in 2009Mentioned:Don Reinertsen, authorGareth Lloyd, former supervisor at KodakJim Sheckler, former technician at KodakGilda Radner, actress and comedianJoy Marshall, former laboratory technician at KodakSteve Jobs, co-founder and former chairman and CEO of AppleSteve Wozniak, co-founder of AppleDr. Majid Rabbani, former fellow at KodakDr. Brad Paxton, former director at KodakRobert Hills, co-inventor of the first DSLR cameraJim McGarvey, former lead engineer at KodakGeorge M. C. Fisher, former CEO of KodakDaniel Allen Carp, former chairman and CEO of KodakAntonio M. Pérez, former CEO of KodakBarack Obama, 44th U.S. PresidentPete Souza, former Chief Official White House PhotographerConnect with Steven Sasson:Steven Sasson on LinkedInConnect with Mahan Tavakoli:MahanTavakoli.comMore information and resources available at the Partnering Leadership Podcast website: PartneringLeadership.comConnect with Mahan Tavakoli: Mahan Tavakoli Website Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn Partnering Leadership Website