His technique, forcing the plastic containing the artificial crystals through small holes, ensured that they would be aligned in the proper direction for the polarizing of light. Land decided instead to use multiple smaller prisms packed tightly together to create the same effect as a single large prism.
These prisms became very expensive and most ongoing research had concentrated on developing even larger and more effective prisms for polarizing light. In 1828 a prism was invented that polarized light for use in optical instruments. A very intelligent young man, he was able to enter Harvard University at age seventeen, in 1926. Perceiving that bright lights might pose a safety hazard, Land began to channel his interests into the area of optics, particularly the field of "polarization." Polarization is the breaking up of light into its separate components to get useful results, such as reducing the hazards caused by glaring lights. In 1926 while walking down Broadway in New York City, New York, Land was overwhelmed by the glareĬoming from a passing automobile's headlight. Land retired, in August of 1982, to devote more of his time to the many projects for disadvantaged children that he had started in the 1960s and to the Rowland Institute for Science. He also became a member of Harvard's visiting committees for astronomy, chemistry, and physics. Land became a visiting professor and a fellow at MIT's School for Advanced Study. In 1963, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and in 1977, he was made a member of the Inventor's Hall of Fame by the American Patent office. He was also awarded a doctorate degree from his alma mater, Harvard, from which he dropped out of as an undergraduate. During the later period in his life, he received virtually every science prize one could achieve and obtained at least six honorary doctorate degrees from notable universities, including Yale, Tufts, Columbia University, Loyola, and Washington University. Passionately devoted to the use of science to bring about technological inventions for mankind, Land was awarded many honors. He was granted permission to use a laboratory to conduct his research and tried to improve the techniques of polarizing light. He returned to Harvard to work on his degree in 1929, where his research was already well known to others. His parents provided him with an allowance so he could pay his bills while pursuing research. He frequently resided in New York and was deeply occupied with his personal research on light and optics. The Land's loved their daughter deeply, and they spent much time together, especially traveling around America. In 1940 Jennifer, their only child, was born. He met and married Helen Maislen in 1929. Edwin's father operated a scrap metal salvaging business and Land grew up in comfortable financial and social circumstances, idolizing Michael Faraday, and English scientist, and dreaming of becoming an inventor.
Personal LifeĮdwin Herbert Land was born on May 7, 1909, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the only child of Harry and Martha F. In fact, the Polaroid Corporation flourished largely because Land and his associates loved to solve problems.
He was also known for his speed in developing inventions and creating solutions to problems on demand. A major scientist and inventor of the twentieth century, he patented over 533 inventions, most of them related to Polaroid optics, such as glare-free sunglasses, and a form of three-dimensional photography used by the military. Edwin Land was the inventor of the Polaroid/Land camera, an invention that developed pictures a few minutes after they were taken.
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