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The BeginningIn 1937, Edwin Land founds Polaroid

Corporation.In 1944, Jennifer Land, Land’s daughter, conceived the idea of instant film while on vacation, “Why can’t I see [the picture] now?” In 1947, Land introduced instant photography to The Optical Society in New York City on February 21st.

In 1948, instant photography goes to the public and sells out almost completely.

Polaroid Model 95 camera The first commercial instant

camera

Expansion and Growth

In the late 50s and early 60s, Polaroid expands into Canada, Europe and Japan.

Polaroid introduces colour film, along with the successful and very usable, to this day, Automatic 100 pack film camera.

With this, Polaroid solidified it’s position as leader of instant photography.

The valuable Automatic 100 pack film camera

PolaroidPictures

The 80’s

Amidst the release of the Sun 600 Light Management system, founder Edwin Land retires after 45 years.

In 1985, Polaroid defeats Kodak in a patent battle, forcing Kodak to leave the instant camera industry.

Decline

With the rise of digital cameras in the late 90s and early 00s, Polaroid filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2001 and lost most of its business to Bank One. Although, it still functioned under its original name, Polaroid Corporation.

However, again in late December 2009, Polaroid Corporation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

The company decided to stop production of Polaroid cameras in 2007 and stopping production of Polaroid film by 2009.

Future

Photographer, Florian Kaps, and André Bosman, former head of film production at a large Polaroid film factory, along with the reorganized Polaroid company, have decided to relaunch Polaroid film, named The Impossible Project.

In January of 2010, Polaroid partnered with pop star, Lady GaGa, and made her Creative Director of the company. Polaroid claimed that she would be the “new face” of the company.