A Brief History of Polaroid Film

Polaroid Film has a rich and fascinating history, marked by innovation and creativity that transformed the world of photography. The company was founded in 1937 by Edwin H. Land, a young scientist and inventor who had a passion for photography.

In 1947, Polaroid introduced its first instant camera, the Model 95. This camera used a unique film and development process that allowed users to produce a finished print in just 60 seconds. This was a revolutionary development that fundamentally changed the way people took and shared photographs.

 

 

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Polaroid continued to innovate, introducing new cameras and films that were smaller, lighter, and more convenient to use. In 1963, the company introduced the iconic Polaroid Swinger camera, which became an instant sensation and helped to popularize instant photography among a wider audience.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Polaroid faced increasing competition from other camera manufacturers and struggled to remain profitable. They also faced a long-standing legal battle with Kodak over the use of their instant photography chemistries. However, the company continued to innovate - despite the patent issues - introducing new films and cameras that offered improved image quality and convenience.

In the 1990s, Polaroid faced a new challenge with the rise of digital photography. The company attempted to transition to digital technology, but was unable to compete with the rapidly evolving market. In 2001, Polaroid filed for bankruptcy and stopped producing instant film.

However, in 2008, a group of former Polaroid employees formed The Impossible Project, which acquired the rights to produce instant film for vintage Polaroid cameras. The company spent several years developing a new instant film formula and production process, and in 2010, it began producing instant film under the brand name Impossible Project.

This was about the same time that the Fujifilm Instax system exploded in popularity.

In 2017, Impossible Project rebranded as Polaroid Originals, and continued to produce instant film for Polaroid cameras under the Polaroid name. These cameras included a new 'iType' camera that took photos with the same dimensions as the original 600-type film, but with a rechargeable battery included in the camera itself - rather than in the film pack.

More recently in 2020 Polaroid Originals became just 'Polaroid' again - and the circle was complete!