On Friday, February 21, 1947, at a meeting of the Optical Society of America in New York City, Edwin Land introduced the one-step photography process. "Land's introduction of the concept of instant photography was not a traditional commercial product unveiling. It was something new and unexpected, and could well have been stifled or ignored by a jaded trade press corps, used to handouts from established giant firms," Land biographer Victor McElheny argues. "Instead, instant photography was unveiled at a scientific conference as a technical breakthrough—to an audience of science reporters." In a theatrical demonstration—the pacing and dramatic effect of which had been well-rehearsed—the soon-to-be-famous inventor, then 37 years old, sat for his portrait in front of a large motorized view camera. With a turn of a knob, Land pulled out and detached the negative-positive sandwich from the camera. After one minute, he peeled away an 8-by-10-inch print from the negative.
[Edwin Herbert Land, le 1er mars 1991. Roger Daltrey et Harry Belafonte, +1, Tristan Corbière sinon clic-clic, Saint-Aubin et tiens Nancy Cunard.]
