The Importance of Children's Questions

Polaroid is one of the more famous inventions of the 20th century. The creator of Polaroid, Edwin Land, lived a long life that begun nine years after the beginning of the 20th century and ended 9 years before its end. When he retired in 1982, Land had 537 U.S. patents that were also patented in other countries. In the history of invention, only one man, Thomas Edison, had more patents. Most of his well-known patents deal with devices and technologies based on the polarization of light. The phenomenon of polarization of light has been actually mentioned in scientific literature since 1812, but was the pioneer of its technical realization. Based on Land’s inventions is “Polaroid” and the technology of instant pictures. Land was not only one of the greatest inventors of our time, but also an energetic initiator. For the duration of 40 years, he served as the president, a chairman, and the head engineer of “Polaroid”. Born in the garage of Kelbridge, “Polaroid” grew into an enormous corporation in the 1980’s. Land was one of the first industrialists to realize the importance of innovation? in the development of a corporation. As an inventor and an expert, heading a secret department for espionage during Eisenhower’s administration, Land greatly contributed to the development of secret satellites, which from 1960 sent images to Earth from the orbit. Land proved himself to be a brilliant student, capable of scientific research work. During this time, he became deeply interested in the polarization of light and created his first invention - a lens for automobile lights that prevents blinding of other drivers. A company based by Land in 1932, “Land-Wheelwright Laboratories”, manufactured this lens. After its liquidation, in 1937, Land based a second company, the famous “Polaroid”. The idea of instant picture development was given to Land by his 3-year old daughter, when during a walk in the park she asked: why can’t you give me the picture you just took. As Land later wrote, during that walk in the park, he pondered this problem and came up with the principal solution, dealing with the three basic components of the camera and the development process. In 1947, he presented a one-of-a-kind example, and production began in 1948. By the middle of the 60’s, half of the American families owned a “Polaroid”.

Eduard Land belongs to a brilliant group of inventors, scientists and industrialists that turn ideas into reality.

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