Polaroid camera

Instant-picture camera, invented by Edwin Land in the USA in 1947. The original camera produced black-and-white prints in about one minute. Modern cameras can produce black-and-white prints in a few seconds, and colour prints in less than a minute. An advanced model has automatic focusing and exposure.

It ejects a piece of film on paper immediately after the picture has been taken.

The film consists of layers of emulsion and colour dyes together with a pod of chemical developer. When the film is ejected the pod bursts and processing occurs in the light, producing a paper-backed print.

The Polaroid company filed for bankruptcy protection in October 2001. It amassed debts of US$1 billion as digital cameras took over much of the market. However, its business is being continued by a holding company.