Edwin H. Land - Harvard University, Facts and Facts
Edwin H. Land's Personal Details
Edwin Herbert Land was a renowned American scientist who revolutionized the world of photography with his invention of instant cameras
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | May 7, 1909 |
| Died on | March 1, 1991 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | Harvard University, Inventors & Discoverers, Scientists |
| City/State | Connecticut |
| Known as | Edwin Land |
| Universities |
|
| Notable Alumnis |
|
| Founder / Co-Founder |
|
| Discoveries / Inventions |
|
| Birth Place | Bridgeport |
| Gender | Male |
| Sun Sign | Taurus |
| Born in | Bridgeport |
| Famous as | Scientist |
| Died at Age | 81 |
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Edwin H. Land's photo
Who is Edwin H. Land?
Edwin Herbert Land was born to relatively poor parents in a small town in New England. Although neither of his parents were formally educated, Land began studying optics and the polarization of light from a young age. After attending and graduating a prestigious high school, he briefly enrolled in an elite university before dropping out to pursue a business project. Continuing to work on his research into the polarization of light, he ultimately impressed his former professors, who welcomed him back to continue his research. After several hard years of experimentation, Edwin managed to perfect an industrial process for polarized sheets. When big Wall Street industrials were convinced of the potential of Herbert's ideas, they helped him found one of the most successful American companies in history. He continued his work as a scientist in the company, helping to develop the world's first instant camera. Edwin also collaborated with the military during the war to help improve reconnaissance techniques and long-distance photography. After more than 40 years of working to improve and develop optics, Herbert retired and then founded his own research institution. After a lengthy life and distinguished career, this famous inventor passed away of natural causes, heralded by the public as a scientific and entrepreneurial genius
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Childhood & Early Life
Edwin Herbert Land was born on May 7, 1909 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. His mother was Martha Land, and his father was Harry Land, who owned a scrap metal yard.
As a young man, Edwin attended the ‘Norwich Free Academy’ in Norwich, Connecticut, where he graduated in 1927.
Career
In 1926, Land was accepted into ‘Harvard University’, where he studied chemistry. After two months, he dropped out of school, eager to pursue a business idea concerning polarized light.
He began studying optics in the ‘New York Public Library’ and conducting his own experiments in a basement laboratory in ‘Columbia University’.
In 1929, he returned to Harvard after convincing the head of the physics department to give him his own lab. Edwin’s mission was to perfect a sheet polarizer for industrial production processes.
In 1932, he found a business partner in George Wheelright, who had been Land's physics instructor at Harvard. After the company began developing polarizing filters for sunglasses, Wall Street investors agreed to help finance the company.
In 1937, the corporation, originally named ‘Land-Wheeliwright Laboratories’, changed its name to the ‘Polaroid Corporation’. Herbert continued to develop sheet polarizers for the company.
By 1942, Polaroid had created color animation for jukeboxes, 3-D glasses for movies, and the ability to dim light coming through a window.
During World War II, Land worked with the American military to develop and improve optics connected to reconnaissance, and helped worked on both the U-2 spy plane and later space satellites. His techniques helped the government take long-distance photographs.
In 1948, after five years of research and testing, this renowned scientist’s newly-invented "instant" photography set for Polaroid went on sale, available in sepia tones only. It was called the 'Land Camera' after its inventor.
In 1950, Polaroid released the first "instant" camera that used black and white film. It became popular both for military as well as for civilian photography purposes.
In 1957, ‘Harvard University’ awarded Edwin an honorary doctorate, the same individual who had dropped out of the school over 25 years earlier. In the same year, he was appointed as a member of the President's ‘Science Advisory Committee’, a job he would hold for three years.
In 1961, he was appointed as a member of the President's ‘Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board’, a position he would hold for the next 16 years. Part of his job was to counsel the president on the military capabilities of America's enemies.
In 1963, Polaroid released the first "instant" camera that used color film.
In 1968, Land encouraged Polaroid to support the civil rights movement and as a part of this initiative he hired people belonging to the minority groups in his company.
In 1980, this visionary scientist resigned as Chairman of Polaroid after more than 40 years with the company.
After retiring, he founded the ‘Rowland Institute for Science’ to continue research work on optics. His laboratory eventually discovered how color is perceived in the human brain.
Major Works
Although Edwin Herbert Land was an accomplished scientist, he is best known for being one of the co-founders of the Polaroid Corporation. His invention of instant cameras paved the way for modern day photography.
Awards & Achievements
This renowned inventor was awarded the ‘Presidential Medal of Freedom’, in 1963.
Land was awarded the ‘IRI Medal’ for outstanding technological innovation in 1965, as well as over a dozen other major scientific and technological awards, in addition to being accepted as a ‘Fellow of the Royal Society’.
Personal Life & Legacy
Edwin was married Helen Terre Maislen in 1929. Together, they had two children.
He passed away in Cambridge, Massachusetts of natural causes on March 1, 1991 at the age of 81.
Herbert was the epitome of the "absent-minded professor", who would sometimes get so caught up with his work that he'd forget to eat for hours. He once wore the same clothes for 18 days in a row while working on one particularly thorny problem.
Land was an accomplished scientist despite the fact that he had no official formal degrees. Everyone referred to him as Dr. Land out of respect for his achievements, except the Wall Street Journal, which refused to do so. By the time of his death, Land held 535 patents in his name.
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Edwin H. Land's awards
| Year | Name | Award |
|---|---|---|
Other | ||
| 1938 | John Scott Legacy Medal and Premium | |
| 1974 | Perkin Medal | |
| 1945 | Rumford Prize | |
| 1967 | Frederic Ives Medal | |
| 1956 | Howard N. Potts Medal | |
| 1965 | IRI Medal | |
| 1979 | SPIE Gold Medal | |
| 1968 | National Medal of Science for Engineering | |
| 1977 | National Inventors Hall of Fame Award | |
| 1974 | Vermilye Medal | |
| 0 | 1963 - Presidential Medal of Freedom | |
| 0 | 1988 - National Medal of Technology and Innovation | |
| 0 | 1938 - Elliott Cresson Medal | |
Edwin H. Land biography timelines
- // 7th May 1909Edwin Herbert Land was born on May 7, 1909 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. His mother was Martha Land, and his father was Harry Land, who owned a scrap metal yard.
- // 1926In 1926, Land was accepted into ‘Harvard University’, where he studied chemistry. After two months, he dropped out of school, eager to pursue a business idea concerning polarized light.
- // 1927As a young man, Edwin attended the ‘Norwich Free Academy’ in Norwich, Connecticut, where he graduated in 1927.
- // 1929In 1929, he returned to Harvard after convincing the head of the physics department to give him his own lab. Edwin’s mission was to perfect a sheet polarizer for industrial production processes.
- // 1929Edwin was married Helen Terre Maislen in 1929. Together, they had two children.
- // 1932In 1932, he found a business partner in George Wheelright, who had been Land's physics instructor at Harvard. After the company began developing polarizing filters for sunglasses, Wall Street investors agreed to help finance the company.
- // 1937In 1937, the corporation, originally named ‘Land-Wheeliwright Laboratories’, changed its name to the ‘Polaroid Corporation’. Herbert continued to develop sheet polarizers for the company.
- // 1942By 1942, Polaroid had created color animation for jukeboxes, 3-D glasses for movies, and the ability to dim light coming through a window.
- // 1948In 1948, after five years of research and testing, this renowned scientist’s newly-invented "instant" photography set for Polaroid went on sale, available in sepia tones only. It was called the 'Land Camera' after its inventor.
- // 1950In 1950, Polaroid released the first "instant" camera that used black and white film. It became popular both for military as well as for civilian photography purposes.
- // 1957In 1957, ‘Harvard University’ awarded Edwin an honorary doctorate, the same individual who had dropped out of the school over 25 years earlier. In the same year, he was appointed as a member of the President's ‘Science Advisory Committee’, a job he would hold for three years.
- // 1961In 1961, he was appointed as a member of the President's ‘Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board’, a position he would hold for the next 16 years. Part of his job was to counsel the president on the military capabilities of America's enemies.
- // 1963In 1963, Polaroid released the first "instant" camera that used color film.
- // 1963This renowned inventor was awarded the ‘Presidential Medal of Freedom’, in 1963.
- // 1965Land was awarded the ‘IRI Medal’ for outstanding technological innovation in 1965, as well as over a dozen other major scientific and technological awards, in addition to being accepted as a ‘Fellow of the Royal Society’.
- // 1968In 1968, Land encouraged Polaroid to support the civil rights movement and as a part of this initiative he hired people belonging to the minority groups in his company.
- // 1980In 1980, this visionary scientist resigned as Chairman of Polaroid after more than 40 years with the company.
- // 1st Mar 1991He passed away in Cambridge, Massachusetts of natural causes on March 1, 1991 at the age of 81.
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Edwin H. Land's FAQ
What is Edwin H. Land birthday?
Edwin H. Land was born at 1909-05-07
When was Edwin H. Land died?
Edwin H. Land was died at 1991-03-01
Where was Edwin H. Land died?
Edwin H. Land was died in Cambridge
Which age was Edwin H. Land died?
Edwin H. Land was died at age 81
Where is Edwin H. Land's birth place?
Edwin H. Land was born in Bridgeport
What is Edwin H. Land nationalities?
Edwin H. Land's nationalities is American
What was Edwin H. Land universities?
Edwin H. Land studied at Harvard University, Harvard University, Norwich Free Academy
What was Edwin H. Land notable alumnis?
Edwin H. Land's notable alumnis is Harvard University
Which company or organization was founded by Edwin H. Land?
Edwin H. Land was the founder/co-founder of Polaroid Corporation, Rowland Institute for Science, Polaroid Eyewear
What is Edwin H. Land's inventions/discoveries?
Instant Camera, Land Camera was invented (or discovered) by Edwin H. Land
What is Edwin H. Land's sun sign?
Edwin H. Land is Taurus
How famous is Edwin H. Land?
Edwin H. Land is famouse as Scientist