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This blog post was used to create the following infographic:

Module:10 (extra credit) Video

Module:10 (extra credit) Video

Module:10 (extra credit) Video

Module:10 (extra credit) Photos

*cue soundtrack* From DSLR’s to the camera’s on our mobile phones, the photography devices that we know today have come a long way from where they were many years ago. Fortunately, with the help of technological advancements, the world of photography has been able to realize huge leaps. Let’s rewind a bit shall we? In 1923, this marked the earliest known invention of the instant camera by Samuel Shlafrock. This invention, however was not commercialized till around 1948 by a man of the name Edwin Land. The model 95 Land Camera, (later renamed to the Polaroid Camera) consisted of self-developing film where users were able to print their photos in real time, at the touch of a button. (Well...not exactly)

The Development Process Developing instant film was not the most flawless process. Unlike the modern Polaroids sold on the market today, a fair amount of manual work had to be done in order to obtain quality results. These cameras required the shooter to flip a switch and pull “the large tab in the back of the camera to pull the negative over the positive, through some rollers to spread the developing agent. After the picture developed inside the camera for the required time, the photographer opened the small door in the camera back and peeled the positive from the negative.” (Source). It was not until the introduction of integral film in 1972, that this process became automated in the camera itself.

(Source) Product Lifecycle At the beginning stages of its introduction, instant film cameras saw a significant amount of success in its popularity amongst consumers. “The physicality of the Polaroid photo, combined with ability to produce it almost instantly, transforms it from merely a photograph, into a sort of instant source of entertainment, amusement and play.” (Source). It is to no surprise then, that its demand was very high.

As time progressed and the development of camera functionalities continued, Polaroid began to take a hit from the increasing digitization occurring in society. "With the creation of digital photography, and the increasing popularity of photo viewing and sharing via the computer and Internet, most of Polaroid's consumer based...left the Polaroid behind for the even more instant device, the digital camera." (Source) This shift from physical to digital allowed individuals alternative, more efficient methods of storage - turning the idea of hardcopy photos into one that was less appealing.

(Source) Today, the Polaroid still exists on the market. In fact, there are quite a few distributors who carry the camera along with accessories tailored especially for it (Ex: packs of decorated film, photo albums etc) . I would argue that its use has actually picked up amongst consumers - particularly millennials, who have upheld the interest in instant photography and the sentimental value it imparts.