Gold, silver and the end of film.

 
Our previous “Inkonomics” article triggered a LOT of interesting emails from readers.

Thank you for sharing your opinions. We just wish more people would comment below each post (instead of email) so not only we could benefit from different views. Perhaps a New Year’s resolution?

A really intriguing comment was “the economic recession triggered the end of film.”

The conclusion of a lengthy and fascinating discussion: When looking for safer investments than stocks and bonds, many people purchased gold, driving the ounce from $800 in 2008 to $1,700 in 2012.

What has this to do with film?

Click here to keep reading Well, the price of silver, a key raw material for film processing and stable for almost two decades, has risen from its habitual $12 to $17 an ounce to around $35 an ounce (peaked at $48). At one point, Kodak’s CEO estimated that for every one-dollar rise in the price of silver, the company’s bottom line was hit to the tune of $10 to 15 million. Check the charts below:

Therefore, the reader’s conclusion that the economic recession triggered the end of film does in fact have some validity.

What’s your take?  As always, please share your comments and thoughts below with us, rather than through an email.  Thanks!