Polaroid is a legacy company that changed the way we make photographs. They were the first to launch instant cameras in 1948, and since then, there has been no looking back. However, while Edwin H. Land invented the first instant camera, other employees further helped him make the company reach the milestone where it is. A new exhibition at the Harvard Business School (HBS) offers a unique glimpse into the history of the brand, especially focusing on a key figure who played a critical role in Polaroid’s history, Meroë Morse.
The lead images and those within the article are screenshots from The Harvard Gazette.
The exhibition, From Concept to Product: Meroë Morse and Polaroid’s Culture of Art and Innovation, 1945–1969, examines the brand’s early success, its innovations in instant photography, and how Morse contributed to them. Through the showcase, we see Morse’s past. She was an art history graduate from Smith College who joined Polaroid in 1945. While she did not have any training in science or business, she went on to become a significant part of the company. She was the manager of the black-and-white photographic research department before she climbed up the ladder to earn the title of director of special photographic research. Her contributions did not only make Polaroid a successful name but also shaped the future of instant photography.
Polaroid was founded in 1937 by Edwin Land in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The company revolutionized photography by introducing the first instant camera and film in 1948. Polaroid’s success wasn’t just about technology; it also had a strong emphasis on art and design. This innovative approach helped the company stand out, and it’s one of the reasons why Steve Jobs, among others, admired Land’s work. Polaroid’s culture of combining science with creativity set the foundation for a brand that became a household name.
Morse’s job entailed working with people in the lab, where they would experiment and explore rolls of film and cameras to improve the quality of Polaroid’s products. However, one of her biggest achievements includes supervising the development of Type 41 black-and-white film, which achieved sharper images with more details than the previous products. This, thus, helped the company to gain fame while proving they are different from its opponents.
That’s not all. She did something that would become even more important for Polaroid: getting the most renowned photographer of the 20th century to help consult the company. She asked Ansel Adams to test their cameras and film, which helped them get real feedback that could improve their offerings. This collaboration with the artist, which the company still continues in many ways, made Polaroid a bigger appeal to the audience. I mean, who would not buy a camera that Adams himself assisted to test? In addition, they also started the Artist Support Program, which provided free cameras and film to serious photographers. This further cemented Polaroid’s reputation in the photography world.
In addition to history, visitors can also see the artifacts, patents, letters, photographs, and vintage cameras on display. This includes photographs Adams took, which helped the company improve over the years. The showcase also displays the iconic Land Camera, which changed the photography world.
Today, Polaroid continues to be a cornerstone in our culture, with many celebrities using it to portray their artist’s side. Considering its place in our hearts today, seeing this exhibition will help you understand what it took Polaroid to reach where it is today. It showcases a beautiful blend of science and art and honors people who helped us capture our beautiful memories in a few minutes. Furthermore, it also portrays the role women played in building cameras, which is often overshadowed in our photography world. By highlighting Morse’s contribution, Harvard reminds us that equality is one of the critical aspects of achieving unique goals. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, there is so much to learn from From Concept to Product: Meroë Morse and Polaroid’s Culture of Art and Innovation, 1945–1969. It highlights how a vision and the right people can change our world.
The exhibition is currently ongoing and will end on April 8, 2025. For more information, visit the Baker Library’s website.