Instant: The Story Of Polaroid (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
I really love polaroid and I'm a sucker for business/science profiles... but this felt a little lacking somehow. I think the real issue is that Edwin Land requested his papers be burnt, meaning that the portrait of him was very vague. Beyond that I feel that one of the most amazing stories of the book, that Polaroid had a huge number of women involved in scientific and managerial work, did not get a great narrative. It felt somewhere between the land of fact and story, and I went into it hoping for story. First of all, I will read/buy/love anything published by Princeton Architectural Press. Their book design is so far superior to most, I want to show up on their front doorstep one day and just kinda bask in the glory. And I love Polaroid cameras and film so this was a lovely marriage for me. This overview of Polaroid was a perfect quick read with lots of examples - it knew it didn't need to be the definitive doorstop of a book. But the info about the R and D and the collaboration with artists in the early days was fascinating and depressing - do companies really do this anymore? The early innovation, design focus and over-inflated stock price reminded me of Apple - and the crash I think will come for them was nicely outlined in the end of Polaroid.
What do You think about Instant: The Story Of Polaroid (2012)?
A fast read. Likely best for photo enthusiasts.
—Tom
