Innovations that came from university research: The Polaroid

Wed, 14 Feb 2018 08:29:01 -0500

Did you know?
American scientist and inventor Edwin Land was fascinated by developing an inexpensive method that used polarizing filters to capture and develop images instantly on film. He would conduct much of his research by sneaking into Columbia University’s labs in New York City at night to use the equipment, later returning to Harvard to further his research. He would go on to found Polaroid Corporation in 1948 with one of his physics instructors, which would become a highly successful business. Polaroid also invented and manufactured an instant movie camera system called Polavision. The kit included a camera, film, and a movie viewer. When the movie was shot, it would be taken out of the camera and then inserted into the viewer for development, then viewed after development. This format was close to Super 8mm film. Because it lacked audio capability, and with the advent of VHS video recorders, Polavision had a short history.

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