--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was a consultant for Kodak back in the…" description: "\"I was a consultant for Kodak back in the late 80's. There were engineers there who told me that in the future, most photographs would be taken on telep..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c8/sam-abell-7768_able_i-was-a-consultant-for-kodak-back-in-the_2961588.png" --- # I was a consultant for Kodak back in the late 80's. There… ![“I was a consultant for Kodak back in the late 80's. There were engineers there who told me that in the future, most photographs would be taken on telephones. They weren't able to do anything with that. They were engineers, not management.” quote by Sam Abell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c8/sam-abell-7768_able_i-was-a-consultant-for-kodak-back-in-the_2961588.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c8/sam-abell-7768_able_i-was-a-consultant-for-kodak-back-in-the_2961588.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c8/sam-abell-7768_able_i-was-a-consultant-for-kodak-back-in-the_2961588.png) > “I was a consultant for Kodak back in the late 80's. There were engineers there who told me that in the future, most photographs would be taken on telephones. They weren't able to do anything with that. They were engineers, not management.” [Sam Abell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-abell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Engineers foresaw phone photography but lacked authority to act, highlighting the gap between technical insight and strategic decision‑making. **In simple terms:** Engineers saw the future but couldn't influence it. Key Takeaway Bridge technical vision with leadership. Themes innovation leadership technology adoption organizational dynamics Mood reflective analytical Type insightful strategic When to use this quote - product development meetings - corporate strategy sessions - technology forecasting workshops Key Concepts strategic foresight change management communication Questions to Reflect On - How can engineers ensure their ideas reach decision‑makers? - What structures enable tech insight to influence strategy? A Different Perspective Technical insight alone doesn't drive change without executive support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Able](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/able/) [Consultant Kodak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consultant-kodak-4512685/) [Consultants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consultants/) [Engineers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/engineers/) [Future Photographs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future-photographs-4512687/) [Kodak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kodak/) [Kodak Late](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kodak-late-4512686/) [Late](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/late/) [Management](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/management/) [Photograph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photograph/) [Photography](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photography/) [Taken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taken/) [Telephones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/telephones/) [Telephones Weren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/telephones-weren-4512688/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Would be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/would-be/) ## Related quotes > [Photojournalists know the horrors of war can only be exposed at close range. Kodak Film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-nachtwey/photojournalists-know-the-horrors-of-war-can-only-be-exposed-at-close/) [James Nachtwey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-nachtwey/) > [Here’s a current example of the challenge we face. At the height of its power, the photography company Kodak employed more than 140,000 people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaron-lanier/here-s-a-current-example-of-the-challenge-we-face-at-the-height-of-2/) [Jaron Lanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaron-lanier/) > [In 2009, I went to Cannes with a short film in the Kodak emerging program at the American Pavilion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-coogler/in-2009-i-went-to-cannes-with-a-short-film-in-the-kodak-emerging/) [Ryan Coogler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-coogler/) > [Even a fellow with a camera has his favourite subjects, as we can see looking through the Kodak-albums of our friends. One amateur prefers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-forster/even-a-fellow-with-a-camera-has-his-favourite-subjects-as-we-can-see/) [E. M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster/) > [My protest against digital has been me saying, "What's going to happen to film?" The result is that Kodak is out of business. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-stone/my-protest-against-digital-has-been-me-saying-what-s-going-to-happen/) [Oliver Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-stone/) > [Bin Laden was very keen to point out to me that his forces had fought the Americans in Somalia. He also wanted to talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fisk/bin-laden-was-very-keen-to-point-out-to-me-that-his-forces-had-fought/) [Robert Fisk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fisk/) > [ The \[Kodak is\] the only witness I have encountered in my long experience that I couldn't bribe. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/the-kodak-is-the-only-witness-i-have-encountered-in-my-long/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [I cry at Kodak commercials.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-ripley/i-cry-at-kodak-commercials/) [Alice Ripley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-ripley/) > [I called it Kinko’s because of my nickname — because I had this really kinky hair. If you think about it, the first thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-orfalea/i-called-it-kinko-s-because-of-my-nickname-because-i-had-this-really/) [Paul Orfalea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-orfalea/) > [I listen to Meek, Blac Youngsta, Playboi Carti, Lil Uzi Vert, Kodak, Lil Bibby of course.I listen to pretty much everybody I like different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-herb/i-listen-to-meek-blac-youngsta-playboi-carti-lil-uzi-vert-kodak-lil/) [Lil Herb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-herb/) > [I listen to Migos. I listen to Drake a lot. Also 21 Savage, Kodak Black, XXXTentacion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ozuna/i-listen-to-migos-i-listen-to-drake-a-lot-also-21-savage-kodak-black/) [Ozuna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ozuna/) > [Previously, even in Egypt, men had not learned to see straight. They fumbled in the dark, and didn't quite know where they were, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence/previously-even-in-egypt-men-had-not-learned-to-see-straight-they/) [D. H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence/) > [Almost any fool can paint an academy picture, and any imbecile can shoot off a Kodak.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-pound/almost-any-fool-can-paint-an-academy-picture-and-any-imbecile-can/) [Ezra Pound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-pound/) > [Kodak is hard. 'No Flockin' is an amazing song.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle/kodak-is-hard-no-flockin-is-an-amazing-song/) [Kyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle/) > [ The film \[ Wyatt Earp and the Holy Grail\] was shot on a KODAK Zi8 camera as well as on multiple camera phones. It… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-jacobs/the-film-wyatt-earp-and-the-holy-grail-was-shot-on-a-kodak-zi8-camera/) [Evan Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-jacobs/) ## More by Sam Abell > [Photography, alone of the arts, seems perfected to serve the desire humans have for a moment - this very moment - to stay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-abell/photography-alone-of-the-arts-seems-perfected-to-serve-the-desire/) [Sam Abell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-abell/) > [I did it once, and National Geographic recruited me. I did it primarily out of curiosity. A lot of legendary photographers had worked on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-abell/i-did-it-once-and-national-geographic-recruited-me-i-did-it-primarily/) [Sam Abell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-abell/) > [I can't speak for other photographers, but the photographers who went forward strongly when the so-called "official" part of their career ended, to me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-abell/i-can-t-speak-for-other-photographers-but-the-photographers-who-went/) [Sam Abell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-abell/) > [Actually, ambition won't get you that far. You'll shift gears. You'll see something that's shinier. But if you believe... then you're the long-distance runner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-abell/actually-ambition-won-t-get-you-that-far-you-ll-shift-gears-you-ll/) [Sam Abell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-abell/) > [A mad, keen photographer needs to get out into the world and work and make mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-abell/a-mad-keen-photographer-needs-to-get-out-into-the-world-and-work-and/) [Sam Abell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-abell/) > [I have this awareness that the more dynamic the situation is, the more on guard I need to be that the dynamic isn't controlling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-abell/i-have-this-awareness-that-the-more-dynamic-the-situation-is-the-more/) [Sam Abell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-abell/) > [What I'm interested in is modern American history. I'm taken with the changes that have occurred in America in my lifetime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-abell/what-i-m-interested-in-is-modern-american-history-i-m-taken-with-the/) [Sam Abell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-abell/) > [Essentially what photography is is life lit up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-abell/essentially-what-photography-is-is-life-lit-up/) [Sam Abell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-abell/) > [Life rarely presents fully finished photographs. An image evolves, often from a single strand of visual interest - a distant horizon, a moment of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-abell/life-rarely-presents-fully-finished-photographs-an-image-evolves/) [Sam Abell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-abell/) > [Photographs that transcend but do not deny their literal situation appeal to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-abell/photographs-that-transcend-but-do-not-deny-their-literal-situation/) [Sam Abell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-abell/) > [I wanted life to be episodic. I wanted to be a magazine photographer and I was willing to do what it took to become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-abell/i-wanted-life-to-be-episodic-i-wanted-to-be-a-magazine-photographer/) [Sam Abell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-abell/) > [ That statement \[ Stephen Ambrose:'You, Sam, have the hardest job, which is, pretend like nothing has happened in the last 200 years.'\] woke me… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-abell/that-statement-stephen-ambrose-you-sam-have-the-hardest-job-which-is/) [Sam Abell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-abell/) > [The unusual wins out over the usual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-abell/the-unusual-wins-out-over-the-usual/) [Sam Abell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-abell/) > [Even though I teach with 35mm, my method takes people by surprise, because it isn't fast, and it isn't about hardware or software, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-abell/even-though-i-teach-with-35mm-my-method-takes-people-by-surprise/) [Sam Abell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-abell/) > [The class that I teach is called "The Life of a Photograph." It takes up the question, of the billion photographs that were taken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-abell/the-class-that-i-teach-is-called-the-life-of-a-photograph-it-takes-up/) [Sam Abell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-abell/) [Explore all 87 Sam Abell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-abell/) ## More Able quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [In the '80s, the way radio was programmed, if you didn't have a hit record you weren't going to be able to make any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huey-lewis/in-the-80s-the-way-radio-was-programmed-if-you-didn-t-have-a-hit/) [Huey Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huey-lewis/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pee-wee-reese/thinking-about-the-things-that-happened-i-don-t-know-any-other-ball/) [Pee Wee Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pee-wee-reese/) > [I wanted to remember in order to be able to return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/i-wanted-to-remember-in-order-to-be-able-to-return/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [Government schools, with your tax money, now discourage the teaching of multiplication tables by rote memorization but teach reading by the 'look-and-say' method which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-perry/government-schools-with-your-tax-money-now-discourage-the-teaching-of/) [Greg Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-perry/) > [I don't know if I would qualify as mainstream. I think I have managed to function pretty successfully on the fringes of the music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-metheny/i-don-t-know-if-i-would-qualify-as-mainstream-i-think-i-have-managed/) [Pat Metheny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-metheny/) > [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) > [The reason that Apple is able to create products like iPad is because we always try to be at the intersection of technology and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/the-reason-that-apple-is-able-to-create-products-like-ipad-is-because/) [Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/) > [It was an important period for us, because even though we weren't a "punk band", and what became a model for a punk band,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mallinder/it-was-an-important-period-for-us-because-even-though-we-weren-t-a/) [Stephen Mallinder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mallinder/) > [- You look fine. - Right. I look fine. Except I don't, said Zora, tugging sadly at her man's nightshirt. This was why Kiki…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zadie-smith/you-look-fine-right-i-look-fine-except-i-don-t-said-zora-tugging/) [Zadie Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zadie-smith/) > [There is a way to be a woman, ask for what we deserve and be able to negotiate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/there-is-a-way-to-be-a-woman-ask-for-what-we-deserve-and-be-able-to/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) [Browse all 17,257 Able quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/able/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was a consultant for Kodak back in the late 80's. There were engineers there who told me that in the future, most photographs would be taken on telephones. They weren't able to do anything with that. 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