Edwin H. Land

Edwin H. Land, an American scientist and entrepreneur, contributed to the science and business of imaging through founding Polaroid Corporation, inventing instant photography, and researching color appearance.

As a Harvard freshman, Land conceived the idea of synthetic light-polarizing material in sheet form. He and his physics instructor started the Land-Wheelwright Laboratories. Land established Polaroid Corporation in 1937.

In 1944, Land’s young daughter asked why she had to wait to the see photographs he had just taken. Within an hour, according to Land, he devised the camera, film, and physical chemistry of what would become Polaroid instant photography. Land’s interests spanned to human vision where his research in color appearance helped move the field forward through his compelling essays and demonstrations.