Edwin Land

Dropped out of Harvard after freshman year to pursue polarization research, sneaking into Columbia University labs at night to conduct experiments

This bold move allowed him to focus entirely on developing his sheet polarizer invention, leading to his first patent in 1929 and the foundation of his entire career. Without this decision, edwin land would never have had the concentrated time needed to solve the polarization problem that everyone else had failed to crack.

Founded Land-Wheelwright Laboratories with George Wheelwright III instead of licensing his polarizer technology to existing companies

This decision gave him control over his inventions and their applications. It established the foundation for what would become Polaroid Corporation in 1937, allowing him to build a company culture around scientific research and maintain ownership of the full product experience.

Pivoted from polarization technology to instant photography after his daughter asked why she couldn't see a photo immediately after it was taken

This moment in Santa Fe fundamentally changed his career trajectory and created an entirely new industry. The edwin land polaroid camera, launched in 1948, became the company's defining product and made him a household name. It demonstrated his ability to solve 'manifestly important and nearly impossible' problems.

Learned from failed automotive partnerships and decided to sell directly to consumers rather than as a supplier to other manufacturers

After Detroit refused to adopt his polarized headlight system, edwin land realized he needed direct consumer control. This belief in controlling the entire system became core to Polaroid's strategy and influenced how he launched the instant camera - creating dramatic public demonstrations and building consumer demand rather than relying on industry adoption.

Bet the company on Polavision instant movies despite market research showing limited consumer interest

This decision ultimately ended his tenure at Polaroid. The soundless 3-minute movies were too late to market and cost hundreds of millions in write-downs. It showed the limits of his philosophy that 'marketing is what you do if your product is no good' - sometimes even brilliant inventors need to listen to market signals.

Born May 7 in Bridgeport, Connecticut to Harry Land and Matie Goldfaden.

Entered Harvard as a freshman but became frustrated with formal education constraints.

Graduated Norwich Free Academy with honors before starting college.

Filed first patent for sheet polarizer on April 26 after dropping out of Harvard.

Founded Land-Wheelwright Laboratories with Harvard physics professor George Wheelwright III.

Renamed company to Polaroid Corporation, establishing the brand that would make him famous.

Co-founder George Wheelwright III left the company, giving Land full control.

Got the idea for instant photography while walking with daughter Jennifer in Santa Fe when she asked why she couldn't see a photo immediately after he took it.

Demonstrated the first instant camera to the Optical Society of America on February 21, stunning the scientific community.

The Polaroid camera went on sale to the public, with all 57 cameras selling out on the first day at Jordan Marsh department store.

Harvard awarded him an honorary doctorate, recognizing the dropout who had revolutionized photography.

Resigned as advisor to President Nixon during the Watergate scandal, later ending up on Nixon's enemies list.

Resigned as Chairman of Polaroid Corporation on July 27 after the Polavision failure.

Edwin Land died March 1 at age 81 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, leaving behind 535 patents and a transformed industry.