Lessons in Polaroid Leadership

Have you ever heard of Edwin Land?

I hadn’t. Until recently. And then his name has appeared everywhere.

Edwin Land (1909–91) was the founder of Polaroid. He pioneered many aspects of photography that we take for granted today. He was also a personal hero and favourite of Steve Jobs.

A true visionary and way ahead of his time. He imagined a device very similar to the iPhone—decades before Apple made that historic launch.

As it happens, I’m currently consuming the back catalogue of ‘Founders’ podcast… including 4 back-to-back episodes of Land… and many more episodes that reference his influence.

The streamline of Polaroid in its heyday was ‘Live for the moment.’ Something we can all aspire to today.