A History of Polaroid
The basis for this timeline was originally compiled and posted by Jim at his website Jim’s Polaroid Camera Collection and we have added to it based on our own personal knowledge. If you see any factual errors or have anything you’d like to add to this history, please email us at instant@savepolaroid.com.
Polarized
1929
Edwin Land decides to make his name by solving one of science’s long-standing “unsolvable” problems – polarizing light without needing a large crystal of an esoteric mineral. He creates the first synthetic sheet polarizer in 1929 and later files his first patent. Problem solved.
Edwin Land decides to make his name by solving one of science’s long-standing “unsolvable” problems – polarizing light without needing a large crystal of an esoteric mineral. He creates the first synthetic sheet polarizer in 1929 and later files his first patent. Problem solved.
1932
Land announces synthetic polarizing material.
1933
Land-Wheelwright Laboratories incorporated.
1934
Kodak purchases polarizing material for camera filters. Polaroid Day glasses introduced.
1937
Polaroid Corporation founded.
1939
Polaroid stereoscopic (3D) motion pictures shown for the first time at World’s Fair.
1941
Sales reach $1 million.
1942
Various wartime instruments are invented and manufactured by Polaroid including the first guided missile system, a sighting mechanism for tank gunners and polarized goggles for airmen. Land appointed to the president’s Science Advisory panel, a position he held until the Nixon administration.
Various wartime instruments are invented and manufactured by Polaroid including the first guided missile system, a sighting mechanism for tank gunners and polarized goggles for airmen. Land appointed to the president’s Science Advisory panel, a position he held until the Nixon administration.
1944
Jennifer Land asks her Dad “Why can’t I see them now?” setting into motion the SX-70 project, which was Land’s original title for research into instant film – not the camera system that would come later.
1945
Sales increase to $16 million as the war ends.
1947
Instant photography introduced with a dramatic presentation to The Optical Society in New York City on February 21st.
The Roll Film Years
1948
Instant photography goes on sale to the public for the first time with the Polaroid Model 95 camera and Type 40 film. The camera is so named due to its $95 suggested price. This is just over $850 today.
After selling out quickly, the Boston store that launched the first cameras begins taking backorders for up to $150, or about $1350!
Instant photography goes on sale to the public for the first time with the Polaroid Model 95 camera and Type 40 film. The camera is so named due to its $95 suggested price. This is just over $850 today.After selling out quickly, the Boston store that launched the first cameras begins taking backorders for up to $150, or about $1350!
1949
Ansel Adams hired as a consultant.
1950
1 millionth roll of film produced. Type 41 film introduced.
1951
Instant x-ray film (Type 1001) introduced. Print coater introduced in a panic to counteract fading prints.
1952
The Model 110 “Pathfinder” camera is introduced.
1954
The Model 80 “Highlander”, Model 95A “Speedliner” (also sometimes called “The Woodpecker”) and Model 100 (roll film) are introduced along with Type 31 film.
1955
The Model 700 camera introduced. Panchromatic film introduced – Types 32, 42, 43.
1956
1 millionth camera produced and Type 44 film introduced.
1957
Many new and/or updated camera models go on sale – 80A, 95B, 110A, 150, 800 and two new film types as well – 46, 46-L. Polaroid stock listed on the NYSE.
1958
The first 4×5 film holder introduced along with Type 52, 53 4×5 sheet film.
1959
Polaroid expands to Canada and Europe. The Model 80B camera and Types 37 and 47 film are introduced, as well as the Winklight 250 and 252.
1960
First automatic exposure camera – the Model 900 – goes on sale. The venerable and still very sought-after Model 110B is introduced. Polaroid expands to Japan.
1961
Camera Models 120, 850, J33, J66 and film Types 55 and 57 enter the market.
1962
The 4 millionth camera is produced. The Model 160 and MP-3 copy stand/enlarger are introduced.
Leader of the Pack (film)
1963
The 5 millionth camera is produced. The first color Polaroid film comes out of the lab and into stores. The extremely successful and still, to this day, very usable Automatic 100 pack film camera is introduced along with Type 107 black and white and Type 108 color pack film. In addition, Types 38, 48 and 58 color roll film are introduced.
Pictured is Paul Giambarba’s packaging design for the entire Automatic 100 series line.
The 5 millionth camera is produced. The first color Polaroid film comes out of the lab and into stores. The extremely successful and still, to this day, very usable Automatic 100 pack film camera is introduced along with Type 107 black and white and Type 108 color pack film. In addition, Types 38, 48 and 58 color roll film are introduced.Pictured is Paul Giambarba’s packaging design for the entire Automatic 100 series line.
1964
Follow-ups to the Automatic 100 – the 101 and 102 are introduced. The CU-5 Close-up camera debuts forming a long-standing bond with forensic and medical professionals. Types 510 and 413 film introduced.
1965
More and more Automatic 100-series cameras – the 103, 104, 125, 135, 415, M15 and the professional-level 180 are introduced. The Swinger debuts along with its Type 20 film and becomes one of the fastest selling cameras ever – selling 4 million units in 2 years. The first Instant portrait (4×5) is introduced, forever changing the passport photo business.
1966
The ID-2 Land Identification system is introduced to make instant badges for workers. TLX radiographic furthers Polaroid’s reach into industrial applications.
1967
The highly successful Automatic 100 series continues with the introduction of the 210, 220, 230, 240, 250 at a variety of price points. 4×5 Type 51 film introduced.
1968
Just to fill in the product/price grid, the Automatic 215 and 225 come out. The Swinger continues with 3000 ASA-only Big Swinger. Other new cameras were the M-10 and Special Events 228 (high volume). The Model 545 film holder debuts – a workhorse for professional photographers which continues to be used today.
1969
Polaroid adopts what would later be the SOP for Apple – the 1-year product cycle for updates as the Automatic 315, 320, 325, 330, 335, 340, 350, 360 cameras are introduced. The 360 features the first Integrated Circuits in Polaroid cameras. The first rigid-body packfilm cameras appear – the Colorpack II and IV.
Polaroid adopts what would later be the SOP for Apple – the 1-year product cycle for updates as the Automatic 315, 320, 325, 330, 335, 340, 350, 360 cameras are introduced. The 360 features the first Integrated Circuits in Polaroid cameras. The first rigid-body packfilm cameras appear – the Colorpack II and IV.
1970
Some more cheap Automatic 100 series cameras drop – the Countdown M60 and M80. The Colorpack rigid-body line continues with Colorpack III and M6. Type 20C film debuts. Sales top $500 million. The project that would lead to the SX-70 camera and film is begun in earnest.
1971
The final round of Automatic 100 series cameras are released – the 420, 430, 440, 450, Countdown 70 and Countown 90. Andy Warhol gives the Big Shot 15 minutes of fame. The square-format Colorpack 80, 82, 85, 88, Square Shooter and ZIP are introduced along with Type 87 and Type 88 film. The Super Colorpack debuts. The updated Miniportrait passport camera heads out, as well as a slew of industrial cameras – 701, 703, 704, 706, CU-5, ID-3 Indentification.
Land gives Polaroid shareholders the first tease of the SX-70 system at the annual meeting in April. This short film, created by icons Charles and Ray Eames, was screened at that meeting and promptly distributed to media and photo dealers nationwide:
The Magic Camera
1972
The SX-70 System is introduced to the public by Sir Lawrence Olivier and goes on sale in Florida in October – Land’s attempt to test the camera in a limited marketplace and work out the bugs. Despite the $160 list price (that’s $830 today), many Florida retailers begin adding names to lists and taking deposits for $300-$400 per camera. Magazines, newspapers and the public can’t get enough of this work of wonder and the SX-70 revolutionizes photography by offering the public a true SLR that folds flat and produces photographs instantly. Oh, and the Square Shooter 2 and 4 roll out.
The SX-70 System is introduced to the public by Sir Lawrence Olivier and goes on sale in Florida in October – Land’s attempt to test the camera in a limited marketplace and work out the bugs. Despite the $160 list price (that’s $830 today), many Florida retailers begin adding names to lists and taking deposits for $300-$400 per camera. Magazines, newspapers and the public can’t get enough of this work of wonder and the SX-70 revolutionizes photography by offering the public a true SLR that folds flat and produces photographs instantly. Oh, and the Square Shooter 2 and 4 roll out.
1973
The oddly named “The Colorpack” as well as the Colorpack V packfilm cameras go on sale. The improved MP-4 copy stand is unveiled. 5000 SX-70 cameras are produced each day, along with 50,000 packs of SX-70 film. Despite sales growth over 20% per year, enormous popularity and a well-established monopoly in instant film – Polaroid’s stock becomes shaky as analysts wonder if Polaroid can pay off it’s $250 million investment in the SX-70 System.
1974
Oh well, how about one more Automatic 100 series camera – the pro-grade 195. Bill McCune, Polaroid’s head of camera production, wins a power struggle with Land and introduces the lower-priced SX-70 model 2. Type 105 rolls out. Polaroid estimates over 1 billion instant prints made this year. Stock continues a downward trend and plummets to the lowest point since 1953 after earnings are released.
1975
More cheap packfilm cameras roll out – Electric zip, Super shooter, Super Shooter Plus, Clincher, Colorpack 100 and Color Swinger. The price-point battle continues as SX-70 Model 2 Executive, SX-70 model 3 are released. Polacolor 2 film comes out of the lab. Land resigns as President of Polaroid in the wake of the debacle with the stock price and focuses strictly on research. This research is now focused on instant movie film.
1976
The OneStep series of SX-70 cameras are introduced with the Pronto!, Pronto! Plus, Pronto! S and Pronto! SM. James Garner and Mariette Hartley are queued as pitch-persons. Type 88 and 107C film are introduced. Polaroid sues Kodak for copyright infringement over Kodak’s instant cameras and film. Over 6 million Land cameras produced this year.
The OneStep series of SX-70 cameras are introduced with the Pronto!, Pronto! Plus, Pronto! S and Pronto! SM. James Garner and Mariette Hartley are queued as pitch-persons. Type 88 and 107C film are introduced. Polaroid sues Kodak for copyright infringement over Kodak’s instant cameras and film. Over 6 million Land cameras produced this year.
1977
High-end SX-70’s come back into the market with the introduction of the SX-70 Alpha, Alpha 1 Executive, Alpha 1 model 2 – featuring a number of improvements to the focus and flash systems (if not real leather). The Encore, OneStep, Pronto! B, Pronto! Extra, Pronto! RF cameras debut. The first modern packfilm cameras are introduced – the Reporter and EE100. To the amazement of all – the 20×24 camera debuts. Internationally, the 1500, 3000, EE38, EE58, EE100, Colorpack 200 and 1000 cameras are introduced. More film with updated formulas goes on sale – Type 84, 665, 667, 668 and 708. Land is awarded his 500th patent. Polaroid sales cross the $1 billion mark.
1978
Autofocus technology comes out of the lab with the debut of the SX-70 Sonar OneStep and the Pronto! Sonar OneStep. More cameras this year are the Presto!, Pronto! BC, MemoryMaker, 600, Instant 10, Instant 20, Instant 30. Land’s pet project – Polavision debuts with instant movie film that uses a groundbreaking additive color system and features a state-of-the-art factory with computer controls, laser cutters and clean rooms. Polavision promptly flops due to 3 minute cassettes that must be viewed on a tiny screen – not projected – and because video tape has entered the consumer market. Type 608 film gets added to the list.
1979
The SX-70 Polasonic Autofocus and 5000 cameras are introduced. SX-70 film gets an update to Time Zero and Type 611 film goes on sale. 7.3 million cameras produced.
1980
Type 891 and Polacolor ER films debut. The Polaprinter slide printer is rolled out and a cottage industry of image transfer and emulsion-lift prints takes off. 6.6 million cameras produced.
600 Takes Over
1981
New SX-70’s are added to the lineup – SX-70 TimeZero AF, The Button, TimeZero OneStep and TimeZero Pronto AF. 600 Film debuts along with the introduction of the Sun 600 Light Management system and the Sun 640 and 660 AutoFocus cameras. Other film types this year are 612, 552, 558, 559, 59, 809 and 891 (8×10 transparency).
1982
New cameras for 1982 include the Sun 650, Amigo 620 and ID-3 Model 710. The SX-70 is given new life in the form of the professionally-targeted SLR 680. Edwin Land retires from Polaroid.
1983
Updated 600 cameras are released – the OneStep Sun and the 600 LMS. 35mm slide Autoprocess film is introduced.
1984
The Sun 600 AF is released and a few specialty film types – 331, 336, 339 – are introduced.
1985
Polaroid wins lawsuit against Kodak
The Spectra Years
1986
The Spectra System camera, accessories and 990 (Spectra) film are introduced and quickly adopted by law enforcement, medical, dental and theater professionals due to their more advanced image controls.
1987
Spectra Onyx debuts – the first working transparent camera.
1988
The colorful Cool Cam line of 600-film cameras hits stores. Spectra High Definition Grid film introduced.
1990
The Spectra is upgraded to the Spectra Pro.
1991
Polaroid receives $925M from Kodak for patent infringement
500 Film anyone? Anyone?!?
1993
Polaroid attempts to stay relevant with a more modern SLR camera – the Captiva and it’s requisite Captiva 95 film. The public is largely unimpressed despite national ads featuring Sinbad.
1996
Polariod offers the waning professional market the SLR 690 and Pro Cam. Spectra film is upgraded to Spectra Pro.
1997
Polaroid makes takes a final shot at enticing new customers by introducing the mass-market OneStep Express, OneStep AF, OneStep “talking” cameras. Digital cameras begin to make waves.
1998
For some bizarre reason, Polaroid teams with the Spice Girls for the SpiceCam. Platinum 600 and 500 film is released.
Vain Attempts
1999
More tie-in cameras appear – the Barbie® and Taz® Instant cameras. The 500-compatible JoyCam and PopShots appear, hoping to appeal to a younger audience. as does the I-Zone with pocket and pocket sticker film. Due to the low price of I-Zone film, it briefly receives a bit of attention.
2000
Hoping to keep professional users from switching to digital – the Polaroid Business Edition 600 2, Job Pro 2; Spectra 1200i, 1200si cameras are introduced. The I-Zone digital combo debuts with a scanner for your I-Zone images.
2001
A few final cameras are brought into the marketplace – the Mio, Spectra 1200ff, I-zone convertable, I-zone with radio and Pinhole. MIO film is introduced as well. After many years of declining sales and what are largely considered poorly conceived and manufactured cameras – Polaroid files for Chapter 11 protection.
2002
The I-zone colour changing camera quickly finds its place in the junk drawers of the world. Equity One partners aquires Polaroid’s assets from bankruptcy.
2003
The last new film formulas are released from the labs – 690, 84, 85, 87, 88, 89. The Polaroid One camera is introduced and wins a design award. Polaroid Instant digital prints kiosks are born.
2004
Superficial updates are given to a number of cameras – Image 1200, One600 Pro, One600 JobPro, One600 Ultra, One600 Classic, izone200. The Image 1200 is the first (and last) instant camera with digital LCD viewfinder.
2005
As the I-Zone “craze” wanes – the I-Zone 200 camera and film are released, including I-zone 200 sticky. Polaroid introduces online photofinishing service. Petter’s Group Worldwide acquires Polaroid’s assets for $426M and decides to discontinue film. Purchases of raw materials for pods lessen then stop altogether.
2006
Polaroid discontinues SX-70, type 665, and type 85 film.
2008
On February 8th, in an interview with the Boston Globe concerning the upcoming Zink-compatible printer, Polaroid “announces” all instant film production will cease in 2008/2009.
