What is it about Kodak cameras that are so amazing?

You are not the one missing anything. I think you pretty much hit the nail on the head. There has always been a major misconception regarding Kodak. People see the name everywhere associated with photography and by association, its determined that they make great cameras. I'm pretty sure, that in my lifetime, they've never had much more than a decent camera. To me, they're much more of an innovator in photographic paper and film. I'm sure they make other stuff for the darkroom or whatever, stuff that us average laymen don't understand. But since they're such a big name in photography, they must make great cameras. Obviously, looking at anything they've made in terms of cameras since the advent of digital, besides the 14N, they have just made average cameras for average people. If they think they can go into business with it, more power to them. It just lowers the bar for the rest of us.

Actually, your question ought to be about high-end DSLRs. People tend to forget the MOST important tool a photographer could have, can be found between his ears.

Delusion. Plain and simple.