This is an excellent and richly detailed account of Todd Sasson’s pivotal role in the birth of digital photography. Here's a breakdown of its strengths and a few minor suggestions:
**Strengths:**
* **Comprehensive Narrative:** The piece expertly weaves together Sasson’s personal story, the technical development of the camera, and the broader context of Kodak’s research and the eventual rise of digital photography.
* **Sasson's Voice:** The writing convincingly captures Sasson’s personality – his initial skepticism, his quiet brilliance, and his eventual realization of the impact of his work. The inclusion of his reflections on the Yellowstone moment is particularly powerful.
* **Contextualization:** It doesn’t just tell *what* Sasson did, but *why* it was significant. The discussion of Moore’s Law, the Bayer array, and Kodak’s initial reluctance to embrace digital are all crucial to understanding the story.
* **Expert Perspective:** The inclusion of Todd Gustavson’s insights from the George Eastman Museum adds significant credibility and depth. It corrects the common narrative of Kodak’s failure to capitalize on Sasson’s invention.
* **Well-Structured:** The piece flows logically, building from the initial invention to its eventual impact.
* **Detailed and Specific:** The inclusion of specific details – the $400 calculator, the Yellowstone moment, the camera’s location in the Smithsonian – makes the story feel incredibly real.
**Minor Suggestions (Mostly for Refinement):**
* **Expand on Kodak's Hesitation:** While the piece mentions Kodak's reluctance, it could delve a little deeper into *why* they were hesitant. Was it a fear of cannibalizing their existing film business? A lack of understanding of the potential? Adding a sentence or two about the internal debates would strengthen this point.
* **Clarify the Bayer Array:** The explanation of the Bayer array is a bit technical. Perhaps a slightly simpler analogy could be used to help a broader audience understand its role. (e.g., “Imagine a mosaic – each tiny square is a different color, and together they create a full-color image.”)
* **Sassoon’s Initial Reaction:** The piece mentions that Sassoon didn’t mention his invention outside of work. It could be strengthened by adding a sentence or two about his initial reaction to the camera’s success. Did he feel vindicated? Surprised? This would add another layer to his character.
* **Timeline:** While the narrative is good, a brief timeline of key events (invention, patent, Kodak’s response, the rise of digital photography) could provide a clearer picture for the reader.
**Overall:**
This is a superb piece of writing that tells a fascinating and often overlooked story. It’s a testament to Sasson’s ingenuity and a valuable reminder that technological innovation doesn’t always follow a linear path. The writing is engaging, informative, and beautifully crafted. It’s a story that deserves to be told and remembered.
Do you want me to:
* Expand on any of the suggested points?
* Generate a brief timeline of key events?
* Re-write a specific section to incorporate these suggestions?