The Best One Yet

The Best Idea Yet 📷 Polaroid: Invented (sort of) by a 3-year-old

Dec 14, 2024

Explore the fascinating journey of Polaroid, the pioneer of instant photography inspired by a 3-year-old! Discover how Edwin Land's groundbreaking idea transformed the industry and led to a legendary rivalry with Kodak. Learn about the influence of artists like Ansel Adams and Andy Warhol on the brand. Plus, hear why Steve Jobs had an obsession with Polaroid. And remember, don’t shake that picture—there's a good reason why!

08:44

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Quick takeaways

Edwin Land's Polaroid camera transformed photography with instant photo development, forever changing how visuals are captured and shared.

The collaboration between Polaroid and Kodak highlights a unique business strategy, where competition can lead to mutual benefits in innovation.

Deep dives

The Birth of Instant Photography

Edwin Land's invention of the Polaroid camera revolutionized photography by introducing instant photo development. During a live demonstration, he took the first ever instant selfie, which captivated the audience and showcased the groundbreaking technology. Within 50 seconds, Land revealed an 8x10 photo of himself, marking a significant milestone that eliminated the need for darkrooms and transformed journalism by allowing reporters to deliver timely visuals from the field. This instant photography capability not only fascinated the public but also generated substantial media attention, indicating its potential impact on the photography landscape.

The Revolutionary Moment of Instant Photography

9min

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It’s the OG of instant photography — It paved the way for the iPhone, inspired Instagram, and fills every photo album on your parents’ bookshelf. Polaroid became a fave of world-class artists like Ansel Adams and Andy Warhol, but did you know its inventor, Edwin Land, actually got the original idea from his 3-year-old daughter? Find out how Polaroid and rival, Kodak, went from friends to frenemies… why Steve Jobs was obsessed with this company… and why Polaroid is the best idea yet. FYI: If you’re listening, OutKast, you’re actually *not* supposed to shake the picture (we’ll explain why on the pod).

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