From Sunglasses to Cameras: Polaroid

Most of us think in terms of instant photography these days. Digital cameras are everywhere and it's getting difficult to buy a mobile phone that can't snap a few pics.

Back in the late 20th Century, instant photography still seemed like magic and the Polaroid Corporation was home to the master sorcerers. Edwin Land's company got its start selling polarized sunglasses and moved into the instant camera market in 1948. They competed head-to-head with Kodak for many years, and even managed to develop Polavision -- an ill-fated instant movie system that cost the company millions.

Alas, they were late entering the digital camera market and filed for bankruptcy in 2001. The company is now owned by Petters Group Worldwide and markets a variety of affordable digital cameras, video equipment and instant cameras.

In recent years Polaroids have become an incredibly popular artistic medium. Perhaps the most beautiful example of this is Sia's Breathe Me music video that features thousands of Polaroid shots.

Polaroid instant film cameras start at about $32 for the Polaroid One 600 Classic. They're now discontinued, so you'll have to poke around the Net a bit to find one.