Edwin Land biography

Synopsis

Early Life

Edwin Herbert Land was born on May 7, 1909, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He attended Harvard University for a year, studying chemistry, before dropping out and moving to New York City. In New York, Land worked on scientific experiments independently. During the day, he conducted research at the New York Public Library. After hours, he used a Columbia University laboratory. The result of these activities was the development of Polaroid quick-developing film, which worked by polarizing light.

Polaroid

Land returned to Harvard in time, focusing on chemistry and physics. With one of his professors, he founded the Land-Wheelright Laboratories to continue his polarization studies. The company was renamed the Polaroid Corporation in 1937.

The technology that Land developed had a wide range of applications, and was used in the production of sunglasses and color animation. During World War II, Land and his team applied themselves to the refinement of night-vision goggles and a viewing system called the Vectograph, which revealed enemy camouflage. After the war, the team contributed to the development of the U-2 spy plane. Employees described Land as driven and intensely committed to his work, spending long hours in the lab.

In 1954, Land publicly demonstrated an instant camera, called the Land Camera, and film. The product went on the market two years later. The cameras were an instant success, selling out during the Christmas season in 1948, and would remain on the market for 50 years thereafter.

As a manager, Land was known for his progressive policies. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Land hired women and minorities for research and management positions, rather than secretarial and custodial roles. In the 1960s, he hired minorities ahead of many other firms, embracing early affirmative-action programs.

In the 1970s, Polaroid pioneered color instant film. In 1977, despite Land's business prowess, the company was unable to make a success of a film venture called Polavision. The company sustained a significant loss on the Polavision effort. As a result, Land chose to resign his position as chairman in March 1980.

Later Life

In the midst of establishing his company, Land neglected to complete his studies at Harvard University. Harvard awarded him an honorary doctorate in 1957 for his lifetime of scientific achievement.

Land collected photographs when not conducting his own original research. He acquired many pieces via trade, bartering cameras to photographers in exchange for their work. At its height, his collection included nearly 25,000 images by various artists, including Ansel Adams, Robert Frank and Andy Warhol.