After 74-years, Eastman Kodak Co. decided to end the production of KODACHROME, film the world’s first commercially successful color film in 1935.

KODACHROME film has a very rich history; among the well-known professional photographers who used KODACHROME Film is Steve McCurry, whose picture of a young Afghan girl captured the hearts of millions of people around the world as she peered hauntingly from the cover of National Geographic Magazine in 1985.

“The early part of my career was dominated by KODACHROME Film, and I reached for that film to shoot some of my most memorable images,” said McCurry. “While KODACHROME Film was very good to me, I have since moved on to other films and digital to create my images.

In recent years, sales of KODACHROME Film declined because of booming of digital tech age.

“KODACHROME Film is an iconic product and a testament to Kodak’s long and continuing leadership in imaging technology,” said Mary Jane Hellyar, President of Kodak’s Film, Photofinishing and Entertainment Group. It was certainly a difficult decision to retire it, given its rich history.

The majority of today's photographers have voiced their preference to capture images with newer technology – both film and digital. Kodak remains committed to providing the highest-performing products – both film and digital – to meet those needs.

The company plans to donate the last rolls of the film to George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film in Rochester as part of a tribute to KODACHROME Film.

George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film in Rochester is the world’s largest collection of cameras and related artifacts. McCurry will shoot one of those last rolls and the images will be donated to Eastman House, according to the company.

Kodak estimates that current supplies of KODACHROME Film will last until early this fall at the current sales pace.