Bringing analog instant film back from the dead

Recently, at a party, DC-area artist and photographer Jason Horowitz was lamenting the death of instant Polaroid film. I told him I’d read somewhere online that some folks had figured out (or were in the process of figuring out) how to make instant film so this beloved medium could live on. I made a mental note to look this up when I got home, to do a posting about it, but forgot. Jason didn’t. He found what I was vaguely remembering, The Impossible Project. Started by a former Polaroid employee and a member of an online analog film fansite, the two have leased the former Polaroid factory in the Netherlands and hired chemists, engineers, and technicians to help them create a 21st century “integral film” that will work in 20th century Polaroid cameras. They even solicit help online — for instance, they’re currently looking for people who knowledge about latex chemistry to help in engineering the “latex timing layer,” a layer in the deposition of the instant film.

The Impossible Project [Thanks, Jason!]

More:
No more Polaroid… instant film – and MAKE’s look at Polaroid projects

2 Responses to Bringing analog instant film back from the dead

John Park on May 28th, 2009 at 1:08 pm said:

I want it on a tshirt.
Also, I love the idea of this whole project, particularly how they got together and leased the old factory. Reminds me a bit of those guys who secretly worked to fix the Pantheon’s clock in Paris.

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Mig on May 29th, 2009 at 4:03 am said:

What’s the name of this film fansite? Gotta get me some of that action. I had quick look on the site but can’t find it.

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