INVENTOR OF THE INSTANT CAMERA - POLAROIDS OF MAY - PART 2
© 2020 SuZan Alexander. Polaroids of May - Granny’s Square Shooter. Digital Photography
Last week, I introduced my plan to celebrate the Polaroid camera with the “Polaroids of May”. As part of the Polaroid celebration, I am planning a blog post for each Wednesday, AND, I am also posting a 27-day “grid” over on Instagram that is inspired by this vintage camera. I posted the first piece of the “grid” on Monday (May 4). I hope you will check it out because it’s a bit like watching a Polaroid coming to life.
But, for now, let’s start by learning a little bit about the man who invented this innovative camera.
The Man Behind the Polaroid
Edwin H. Land (May 7, 1909 - March 1, 1991) was a scientist, inventor and businessman. He received many honors, awards, and fame during his lifetime. He has also been credited with influencing many other innovators - most notably, Steve Jobs.
While those accolades are important, it was his fascination with light that became the catalyst for inventing an innovative photography process that revolutionized traditional photography.
The Light… Polarization
From a very early age, Land was fascinated with light polarization. His interest is credited to a book he read that included a chapter on the polarization of light. Apparently this topic resonated with the young Land because he devoted most of his life to studying the subject.
“If you dream of something worth doing and then simply go to work on it and don’t think anything of personalities, or emotional conflicts, or of money, or of family distractions; it is amazing how quickly you get through those 5,000 steps.”
Years after reading the book, Physical Optics by Robert W. Wood, Land attended Harvard University as a chemistry major. However, he left Harvard after his freshman year and moved to New York City. In New York, he set up a small lab in his apartment, “borrowed” (as in sneaking in after-hours) a laboratory at Columbia University at night, and, availed himself to the New York Public Library’s scientific literature holdings which became his “textbooks”.
His subsequent experiments during this self-study resulted in a breakthrough that produced his first patent.
Eventually, Land returned to Harvard University, but apparently never completed his degree. However, in 1957, Harvard University awarded him an honorary doctorate which is why he is often referred to as Dr. Land.
His many accomplishments include photo-reconnaissance and intelligence for the United States during the Cold War years, developing dark-adaptation goggles during World War II, … but, it is this little camera thing that ultimately garnered the most fame.
Down To Business
In an effort to commercialize his polarizing technology, Land established a company with his former physics instructor in 1932.
In 1937, the company was renamed the Polaroid Corporation.
In 1947, Land demonstrated the instant camera and film, called the Land Camera. The camera was an instant [pun intended] success and was sold out almost immediately.
“An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail.”
In business, Land is known for his vision, brilliance, and strong work ethic. I believe part of his success is due to his management style and realizing the importance of surrounding himself with an intelligent, creative, driven team while giving them the time and opportunity to be creative - even if every idea wasn’t “successful”.
His approach to business may have been novel, but the resulting accomplishments are a little overwhelming. I think the results indicate he was doing something right. Did you know he amassed somewhere around 535 patents during the course of his career? His first patent, which I mentioned earlier, was dated April 26, 1929. That would make him 20 years old! As you might imagine, the Polaroid camera and instant film account for only a fraction of those patents, but those are the patents that probably have the most notoriety.
The Cameras… and that film!
The impact of his invention may seem a little underwhelming to anyone who has only known photography as digital. In a way, I think his camera and instant film were the precursor of the digital cameras we now enjoy. Both have instant feedback from the photo we snap, … well, one just took a few magical minutes to be “instant”, but you get the parallel, right?
However, the instantaneous gratification of our digital age is something we take for granted now. But with the Polaroid, those few moments of anticipation as the photo slowly came to life… that was magic, my friends.
I hope you will come back next Wednesday when I share another story from this series. And, don’t forget to visit me on Instagram to see the grid slowly develop - just like a Polaroid.
In case you missed the previous posts, we are celebrating the Polaroid camera with the “Polaroids of May”.
As part of the Polaroid celebration, I posted a blog post each Wednesday (previous posts are “Featured” below), AND, I am also posting a 27-day “grid” over on Instagram that is inspired by this vintage camera.
But, for now, let’s talk about a few reasons why the Polaroid was so popular.