What fundamental characteristic defined the word Kodak upon its invention by George Eastman?
Answer
It was an invented word entirely devoid of inherent meaning.
The strength of the name Kodak lay precisely in its manufactured nature; it was entirely coined and held no preexisting meaning in English or any other common language. Eastman deliberately avoided names derived from existing technical terms or classical roots, which many competitors utilized to imply scientific authority. By choosing a word rooted in sound rather than semantics, Eastman ensured the brand belonged solely to his product. This inherent lack of meaning meant the brand identity was not tethered to any obsolete technology or specific chemical process, allowing it the flexibility to evolve while maintaining its core association with simple photography.
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