Corporate Milestones

Polaroid
Corporation
Polaroid
Corporation
Milestones
1926 - Present
Polaroid
Corporation
The Triumph of Images
and Innovation
“Every creative act is the
sudden cessation of stupidity.”
Dr. Edwin H. Land
1926
Edwin Land
17-year old Edwin Land
drops-out of Harvard to
develop light polarizing
technology.
1929
Norwich Research
Land perfects world’s first
synthetic sheet polarizer.
Land receives first of more
than 500 patents in light
polarizers, optics, electronics,
and instant photography.
Former dental mechanic
Ernie Calabro becomes
Land’s first employee.
1933
Land-Wheelwright Labs
Land and Harvard physics
instructor George
Wheelwright III set up
laboratory on Dartmouth
St. in Boston to develop
applications for polarizing
technology for automobile
head lights, sunglasses,
and the now legendary
Polaroid Desk Lamp.
1933
Land-Wheelwright Labs
On Bastille Day 1936,
Land and Wheelwright
demonstrated the
world’s first polarized
anti-glare headlights in
Harvard Yard.
September 13, 1937
Polaroid Incorporated
With venture capital from railroad tycoon W. Averill
Harriman and merchant banker and part-time song
writer James P. Warburg, Edwin Land, George
Wheelwright, and Julius Silver incorporate Polaroid
Corporation on September 13, 1937.
Polaroid begins manufacture of polarizing sheet for
sunglasses and windows in railroad observation cars.
1939
Polaroid Day Glasses
1942
Polaroid Goes to War
Aviation Goggles
Polaroid Ringsite
Christmas Day 1943
Sante Fe, New Mexico
Land’s 3-year old daughter Jennifer asks her father:
“Why can’t I see the pictures now?”
That night in a burst of inspiration Land worked out
the entire process of instant photography in his head.
Over the next three years, Land, Saul Cohen, Max
Parrish, and Doxie Woodward invented their way to
the world’s first instant camera and film system.
1947
Instant Photography is Born
Land wows the science
world with the first public
demonstration of “pictures
in a minute.”
1948
The Craze Begins
The 1st Polaroid Land
Camera, the Model 95,
went on sale the day
after Thanksgiving 1948
at Jordan Marsh in
downtown Boston.
The Polaroid Pod
Patent drawing of original pod.
Still in use fifty years later, Polaroid’s hermetically-sealed,
self-contained pod holds all the processing chemistry
needed to develop instant B&W or color pictures.
Early 1950s
Polaroid exploits the
new medium of TV to
sell the new medium of
instant photography.
Original Tonight Show
host Steve Allen
demonstrates early
Polaroid Film.
1952
Beyond Instant Photography
Land reaches into his bag of
polarizing tricks to create a full
color stereoscopic “3-D” movie
system for such Hollywood
productions as “Bwana Devil.”
1952
Polaroid Medical Imaging
Type 1001 Instant X-Ray Film produces 10x12 inch
X-ray print in just 60 seconds.
Built with grants from the Navy and the American
Cancer Society, Polaroid’s Color Translating Ultraviolet
Microscope was installed at Deaconess Hospital to
facilitate advanced cancer research.
1961
Type 55 P/N Land Film
The first Polaroid 4x5 film to produce a
reusable negative and positive print, instantly.
This shot was taken by Ansel Adams.
1963
Instant Color Prints
Land demonstrates
Type 48 Polacolor
Co-Inventor
Howie Rogers
1966
ID-2 Land
Identification System
The ID-2 was the first in a series of self-contained
ID systems using instant photography.
The ID-4 System,
introduced in 1989, is
used by more than 20
US State DMVs to
produce driver’s
licenses.
1972
SX-70
The first folding,
full color, while-youwatch, self-timing,
self-developing instant
photographic system
captures the world’s
imagination.
SX-70
Advanced Technology
for the Consumer
Greeted by an avalanche
of praise from press and
consumers alike, the
SX-70 combined
motorized processing
with a state- of-the-art
exposure system and
SLR viewing to make
amateur photography
better than ever.
Large Format Color
Big, bigger, biggest
Outstanding color
reproduction and image
sharpness make for
spectacular large format
Polacolor photographs.
Polaroid’s Museum Camera
makes life-sized
reproductions of world
famous paintings.
1977
OneStep
The OneStep was the
best selling camera in
the world for the next
four years.
Award winning Polaroid TV commercials
featured Mariette Hartley and James Garner.
1981
Sun 600 Light Management System
LMS technology combined with 600 ASA
film delights consumers around the globe.
1983
35mm Instant Slides
Through the
development of 35mm
Instant Slide Film and
the Palette Color Film
Recorder, Polaroid
invented the DeskTop
Slide Production
Business.
1986
Spectra System
State-of-the-art optics with rock
steady ergonomic binocular grip.
1988
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
In March 1988, Polaroid’s Board of Directors
approved the establishment of an employee
stock ownership plan or ESOP. Employee
Owners currently control more than 20 %
of the Company’s Common Stock.
1989
Polaroid successfully defends
against takeover attempt
In March 1989, Shamrock Holdings, Inc..
a California based holding company,
terminated its tender offer and proxy
contest for control of Polaroid
Corporation, thereby ending its nine
month takeover attempt.
Polaroid emerged without splitting off
essential portions of its business or
assuming overwelming debt.
1989
MP4 System
The modular design
of the MP4 provides
users with a variety
of lighting, lens and
camera head options.
1991
Polaroid announces settlement of
litigation against Eastman Kodak
After nearly 15 years in the courts, the
patent infringement case against Kodak
was finally settled. Polaroid received
nearly $1 billion from Kodak.
1992
Captiva
Ultra-compact Captiva camera and
film system incorporates first-of-its
kind picture storage compartment.
1994
SprintScan 35
SprintScan 35 is the best selling
color slide and negative scanner
in the world.
1994
Helios
Advanced instant
processed chemical-free
medical imaging system
combines precision
laser exposure and
carbon particle film to
render X-ray images
with more than 4000
shades of gray.
1994
ID4000 for Windows
ID4000 identification system uses world
standard Windows interface to make ID
production simple and reliable.
1995
Print to Press
This unique combination of Polaroid hardware,
software and film provides photographers and
publishers with a cost and time efficient alternative
to traditional color separation processes.
1995
Gary DiCamillo
succeeds Mac Booth
Mac provides his
successor with a lesson
in Polaroid history as
seen through the lens of
the first Polaroid Land
camera - Model 95.
1996
Macro 5 SLR Camera
The new 5-in-1 close-up
system provides medical,
dental, law enforcement
and manufacturing
professionals with instant,
high quality, hard copy
documentation of their
work.
Polaroid Homepage
1996
WWW.POLAROID.COM is a showcase for the
company, a sales & marketing tool for products
& programs, an education vehicle for creative
uses & applications, and a great way to stay
close to our customers.
1996
PDC-2000
Digital Camera
With 1600x1200 high
resolution and 24-bit
color, the incredibly
easy-to-use PDC-2000
provides professionl
quality images for final
art, presentations, FPOs
and Web sites.
1997
New Photo Retail Products Make-A-Splash!
Make-A-Print
Make-A-Copy
Make-A-Memory
At the 97 Photo Marketing Association Convention,
held in February in New Orleans, the Photo Retail
Group introduced three new imaging workstations.
1997
Polaroid International Business
Center opens in Glasgow
“In the Europe 2000 Program we have completely
restructured the fiscal and business environment of
all European operations. Although the Program is
complex and far reaching, it has a single focus on
the customer and will, as a result, define the
European standard for how we will service our
customers in the next Millennium.”
George Hamilton
Divisional Vice President and Europe 2000 Program Manager
1997
PhotoMAX
Digital Camera Creative Kit
The PDC 300 Digital Camera
and ImageMaker Software
provide the consumer with a
complete set of easy-to-use
tools for building a website, a
family newsletter, digital
photo albums, and more.
1997
Digital Microscope Camera
Scientists and lab
technicians now have a
better way to capture
microscope images.
The DMC delivers the
quality and value these
important customers in
the scientific and medical
community expect from
Polaroid.
1997
Inkjet Photo Paper
The age of inkjet media is
here, and Polaroid is
positioned to become a
leading supplier in the
fast-growing inkjet market.
Digital images printed on
Polaroid inkjet Photo Paper
have the distinct “look and
feel” of a photograph.
1997
PolaPulse Flashlight
Slightly larger than a
credit card, this unique
flashlight uses a flat,
6-volt Polaroid battery,
and a halogen bulb to
shed the light needed in
the basement, garage, or
parking lot.
1997
TV Commercials
In 1997 Polaroid launched
a vigorous new campaign
to revitalize the brand
image with award winning
TV commercials.
1998
“New” Corporate Headquarters
After spending over three decades in the
Block House at 549 Tech Square, the
Corporation relocated Headquarters into the
renovated landmark at 784 Memorial Drive.
1998
Polaroid 2001
Program Mission Statement
To create the infrastructure and culture for Polaroid
for the next 10 to 15 years... by optimizing our
world wide business structures, processes and
systems thus enhancing our competiveness,
increasing customer and employee satisfaction
levels and improving our operating performance.
1998
An array of new products... cameras,
media, printers, projectors, photographic
and digital... for the professional and the
consumer. For more information, go to the
Library lobby and click on New Products.
1999
PhotoMAX Country Tour
The colorful PhotoMAX van with its
distinctive giant cockatoo “MAX “ atop
its roof toured the country providing
real time demonstrations of Polaroid’s
most current digital imaging systems.
1999
New Instant Cameras for Kids
Polaroid introduces Instant Pocket
Cameras & Film for kids!
e
Barbi
Tweety
B
ird
The I-Zone cameras are small, sleek
and designed for capturing instant fun with friends.
Kids can choose from several models
featuring cartoon characters!
The mini-photo film size also comes in a
sticky format that allows kids to personalize
notebooks, letters or anything they choose!
Bugs Bunn
y
1999
Successful rollout
of Pocket Camera
The I-Zone Instant Pocket Camera was
given the National Parenting Center’s Seal
of Approval for superb quality and design.
The Pocket Camera has been chosen as
the official camera of the Sears Presents
Backstreet Boys Into the Millennium Tour.
November 1999
Consumer digital products
Polaroid implements a
new digital strategy by
unveiling a new line of
consumer digital cameras
and products.
June 2000
Polaroid goes B2B
Polaroid announces the launch of polaroidwork.com,
its new business-to-business Website.
Designed to help enhance work efficiencies of Polaroid end
users, the site delivers real-time imaging solutions, product
information and e-commerce through channel partners.
August 2000
1st International Photography Award Winners
Hundreds of photographers from around the
world submitted more than 2,000 images in
the company's first-ever international
photography contest, showcasing the creative
capabilities and commercial appeal of
Polaroid instant film.
September 2000
Photo meets digital
Polaroid and Olympus join forces
to create the first digital photo
printing camera in North America.
The C-211 ZOOM offers filmless
digital still camera capture with a
built-in instant photo printer,
creating a new imaging category digital photo printing cameras.
September 2000
i-zone.com launched
Polaroid zaps instant
photography into cyberspace
with i-zone.com -an online photo community
that combines i-zone picturetaking with favorite online
activities, such as e-mail, chat
and instant messaging.
messaging .
The Polaroid Promise
To put the best imaging
technology anywhere into
the hands of consumers and
professionals everywhere.
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