Land’s first Polaroid – the model 95. Photo under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication Copyright (Wikipedia)
Toronto. … Like a bat out of hell. In late 1948, Edwin Land dropped a bombshell on the photographic world. He put to market a revolutionary camera and film system that took a monochrome photo and developed the positive print within the camera in 60 seconds.
Such speedy processing was unheard of before digital technology. Land delivered his first batch of cameras and film to a local Boston department store thinking he would have lots of time to manufacture the next batch. However; the first batch literally flew off the shelf, selling out in the first day!
My friend Bill Belier worked for the Canadian distributor. He had the same experience – deliveries from Land couldn’t keep pace with sales. Ironically today (2026) the famous Polaroid cameras have little value to collectors, usually selling for under $100.
Visit our events and you may find the odd Polaroid (everyone needs an SX-70 in their collection) or other interesting item for your collection of photographica. Our Spring Fair is set for May 24th at Trident Hall. Closer to the event a poster will be pinned to the top of page one on this site.
NB: This post was brought to mind by Meatloaf’s title song on his first album, “Bat Out of Hell“.
