Where is 1990s Kodak research documentation?

[Alan Johnson]

During the 90s Kodak researched Xtol and I believe did some work on Thiocyanates.
All that seems to be available is the Xtol patent:http://www.patentbuddy.com/Patent/5756271
Now I believe Xtol is made by Tetenal in Germany.

Is all the associated research documentation lost?
For instance there are a lot of old books discuss Hydroquinone chemistry and Kodak may have had data on Ascorbate chemistry.
Is it known what went to George Eastman House, if anything? Or other location?
Thanks.

 

[cmacd123]

AFAIK, Kodak did publish SOME papers on their more interesting research, and also of course filed patents. I would suspect that they used various scientific journals. Maybe Ron can tell us the secret of finding these.

They would of course not publish day to day findings as those would stay behind "The Silver Curtain"

 

[Vaughn]

It is all on floppy disks...

 

[Photo Engineer]

Alan, that R&D stopped in about 1988. Major advances were pending in other areas of B&W developers and that information also remains unpublished AFAIK. So XTOL did not represent the most advanced formula.

PE

 

[Xmas]

Xtol has been around since before 1988? Has it been that long? Want to know a shameful secret? I've never used it; never even considered it. Just kept plugging along happy with the 1:3 of good old Microdol-X, happy as a clam.

Rodinal is a hundred years older.

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

And lasts longer.

 

[Alan Johnson]

Since the Kodak research cannot be found, and cost quite a lot, perhaps it could be declared "Treasure Trove" whereby whoever digs it up get a payment from the State.
That's what happens to old coins in the UK.

 

[Xmas]

Hi Alan

The market for a new developer is not wonderful. Developers don't do much for film. I'm still using a 19th century recipe.

Old coins have a rarity value and well as a metal content.

Noel

 

[Photo Engineer]

It takes a few years before a new formula goes from R&D to production so my 1988 date is an R&D date.

PE