Polaroid makes an 'impossible' return

When Polaroid announced that it was ceasing production last year, it came as a shock for many photographers.

One of the greatest inventions in the history of photography seemed to have fallen victim to the digital revolution.

But the story does not end there.

A European group operating under the name The Impossible Project, has leased the former Polaroid factory in Enschede in The Netherlands and bought the original Polaroid machines.

The company is now developing a new analog instant film for vintage Polaroid cameras, which is expected to be on the market early in 2010.

The Polaroid brand is still owned by Polaroid, which was acquired by Hilco. Hilco supports The Impossible Project’s venture but the new film will not be named Polaroid.

A spokesperson for The Impossible
Project Marlene Kelnreiter told PIN that the new products will be primarily available over the internet and through selected retailers worldwide, including Australia, where distribution arrangements have yet to be made.

Meantime, a US company Urban Outfitters has partnered with The Impossible Project to support its mission to restart and reinvent instant film photography.

Urban Outfitters is offering a limited edition of 700 hand-numbered dead stock Polaroid camera kits. The special edition will include one pack of deadstock Polaroid instant film and one of the most sought after analog instant cameras: the Polaroid ONE600 Classic, the last Polaroid camera produced.

Along with the kits, Urban Outfitters will offer additional deadstock original Polaroid Type 779 Instant Film saved from the last production runs made at the last Polaroid factory in Enschede.

Film will retail at US$24 per pack and camera kits at US $180 each.

Camera kits and film are available online: at urbanoutfitters.com and urbanoutfitters.co.uk.