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A Triumph of Genius
- Edwin Land, Polaroid, and the Kodak Patent War
- Narrated by: Pete Larkin
- Length: 24 hrs and 15 mins
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Publisher's summary
This riveting biography from the American Bar Association visits the spectacular life of Edwin Land, breakthrough inventor. At the time of his death, he stood third on the list of our most prolific inventors, behind only Thomas Edison and one of Edison's colleagues. Land's most famous achievement was the creation of a revolutionary film-and-camera system that could produce a photographic print moments after the picture was taken.
In A Triumph of Genius, you'll learn details of Land's involvement over four decades with top-secret U.S. military intelligence efforts during World War II and through the Cold War in the service of seven American presidents. Additionally you'll thrill to the compelling firsthand look at one of our nation's most important legal battles over intellectual property--Polaroid versus Kodak. The conflict led to an epic legal battle, a dramatic event for Land, who, from the witness stand, personally starred in a compelling courtroom drama.
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- Narrated by: Charlie Varon
- Length: 3 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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The ancient Toltecs believed that life, as we perceive it, is a dream. We each live in our own personal dream, and these come together to form the dream of the planet, or the world in which we live. Problems arise when our perception of the dream becomes clouded with negativity, drama, and judgment (of ourselves and others), because it's in these moments of suffering that we have forgotten that we are the architects of our own reality and we have the power to change our dream if we choose.
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listen.. .then listen again
- By Casiano on 12-22-16
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I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn’t)
- Telling the Truth about Perfectionism, Inadequacy, and Power
- By: Brené Brown
- Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang
- Length: 10 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
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Based on seven years of ground-breaking research and hundreds of interviews, I Thought It Was Just Me shines a long-overdue light on an important truth: Our imperfections are what connect us to each other and to our humanity. Our vulnerabilities are not weaknesses; they are powerful reminders to keep our hearts and minds open to the reality that we're all in this together.
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I'm sure its great if you are a mother ....
- By Leslie A Hill on 08-09-11
By: Brené Brown
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Eight Dates
- Essential Conversations for a Lifetime of Love
- By: John Gottman PhD, Julie Schwartz Gottman PhD, Doug Abrams, and others
- Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin, Julie McKay
- Length: 5 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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Navigating the challenges of long-term commitment takes effort - and it just got simpler, with this empowering, step-by-step guide to communicating about the things that matter most to you and your partner. Drawing on 40 years of research from their world-famous Love Lab, Dr. John Gottman and Dr. Julie Schwartz Gottman invite couples on eight fun, easy, and profoundly rewarding dates, each one focused on a make-or-break issue: trust, conflict, sex, money, family, adventure, spirituality, and dreams.
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What the F. Robot-reader???!?!?!
- By Anonymous User on 01-21-20
By: John Gottman PhD, and others
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Buddhism for Beginners
- By: Thubten Chodron, His Holiness the Dalai Lama - foreword
- Narrated by: Gabra Zackman
- Length: 4 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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This user’s guide to Buddhist basics takes the most commonly asked questions - beginning with “What is the essence of the Buddha’s teachings?” - and provides simple answers in plain English. Thubten Chodron’s responses to the questions that always seem to arise among people approaching Buddhism make this an exceptionally complete and accessible introduction - as well as a manual for living a more peaceful, mindful, and satisfying Life.
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Amazing introduction to Buddhism
- By chad d on 07-02-15
By: Thubten Chodron, and others
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Mythology: Mega Collection
- Classic Stories from the Greek, Celtic, Norse, Japanese, Hindu, Chinese, Mesopotamian and Egyptian Mythology
- By: Scott Lewis
- Narrated by: Madison Niederhauser, Oliver Hunt
- Length: 31 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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Do you know how many wives Zeus had? Or how the famous Trojan War was caused by one beautiful lady? Or how Thor got his hammer? Give your imagination a real treat. This Mega Mythology Collection of eight audiobooks is for you....
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An interesting set of introductions.
- By Kevin Potter on 05-30-19
By: Scott Lewis
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Medieval Myths & Mysteries
- By: Dorsey Armstrong, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Dorsey Armstrong
- Length: 5 hrs and 6 mins
- Original Recording
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The 10 enlightening (and often humorous) lectures of Medieval Myths and Mysteries will show you how far from the “dark” times of legend these centuries were. Uncover the facts about the Knights Templar. Reveal the truth behind the tales of legendary creatures like the Questing Beast and the unicorn. Trace the events of the Black Death and the ways it altered the world in its wake, and much more. With Professor Armstrong, you will dig deep into the ways that later generations reshaped the narrative of the medieval years and perpetuated the myths.
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Interesting, but centered on Britain
- By Ximena on 04-10-20
By: Dorsey Armstrong, and others
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Marcus Aurelius - Meditations: Adapted for the Contemporary Reader
- By: Marcus Aurelius, James Harris
- Narrated by: Gregory Allen Siders
- Length: 4 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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Meditations is a series of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 AD, recording his private notes to himself and ideas on Stoic philosophy. Marcus Aurelius wrote the 12 books of the Meditations as a source for his own guidance and self-improvement. These books have been carefully adapted into modern English form to allow for easy listening. Enjoy!
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Best translation
- By Anonymous User on 06-13-19
By: Marcus Aurelius, and others
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Ho Tactics
- How to MindF**k a Man into Spending, Spoiling, and Sponsoring
- By: G. L. Lambert
- Narrated by: Patrick Stevens
- Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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I have discovered a group of women who refuse to be exploited, are immune to manipulation, and who never settle in the name of love. These ladies know what they want and take what they want by beating men at their own game. Utilizing the secrets exposed in this book, these women gain power, money, and status. Men call them gold diggers, women call them hos, but they call themselves winners. This is the book that society doesn't want you to listen to….
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I spent $24,000 in 4 months
- By B.M. on 10-06-18
By: G. L. Lambert
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The Ethical Slut
- A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, & Other Adventures
- By: Janet W. Hardy, Dossie Easton
- Narrated by: Janet W. Hardy, Dossie Easton
- Length: 10 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
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For anyone who has ever dreamed of love, sex, and companionship beyond the limits of traditional monogamy, this groundbreaking guide navigates the infinite possibilities that open relationships can offer. Experienced ethical sluts Dossie Easton and Janet W. Hardy dispel myths and cover all the skills necessary to maintain a successful and responsible polyamorous lifestyle.
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The information and advice is 100% totally solid!
- By Troy on 07-28-15
By: Janet W. Hardy, and others
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The Prophet
- By: Kahlil Gibran
- Narrated by: Riz Ahmed
- Length: 1 hr and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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On the face of it, a simple book of 26 poem fables sharing one man’s wisdom. But The Prophet is so much more than that. It has inspired people from John F Kennedy to The Beatles and became the '60s Bible of counterculture – all because of the timeless truths it shared. Each poem takes a different theme – pleasure, beauty, freedom, joy and sorrow – as the fictional Al Mustapha shares his thoughts and experiences as he prepares to travel back to his island home.
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Riz Ahmed's Narraration Is So Moving!
- By Dee Tree on 09-12-21
By: Kahlil Gibran
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What listeners say about A Triumph of Genius
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Jean
- 03-27-15
Fascinating
Ronald K. Fierstein has obviously done a great deal of research about Edwin Land and his company. The author tells the fascinating story of the reclusive genius who, as a teen, invented the plastic polarizer, which is still used almost a century later in countless popular applications including sunglasses and LCD screens.
Edwin Land (1909-1991) also pioneered the revolutionary one-step system of photography. He also made critical contributions to top-secret U. S. military intelligence efforts during WWII and the cold war. He had 535 patents in his name.
The author goes into detail about Land’s inventions in a step by step process that left me feeling as if I was watching over Land’s shoulder. The section about the trial goes into great detail even to the number of hotel rooms rented for the attorneys, legal secretaries and paralegals. I was amazed how long the case took; five years for doing depositions alone with each person taking 6 weeks or more.
Land dropped out of Harvard University to start his company to produce his polarizer discovery. His father counseled him to protect his invention with a patent. He took his father’s advice to heart and earned the sobriquet “Champion of Patents.”
This book goes into detail about The Polaroid v Kodak patent lawsuit, the unprecedented account of the most significant patent litigation of the twentieth century. Ronald K. Fierstein was a young lawyer working with Edwin Land on the team of litigators representing Polaroid in court. He later became a successful entertainment attorney.
The book is well written and reads like a legal thriller. Peter Larkin narrated the book.
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8 people found this helpful
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- MD
- 04-07-15
A triumph to finish it
An important biographical account of E Land. I am very glad to have read it. It has also helped me to understand Steve Jobs because Land was his role model. Unfortunately it is so detailed and repetitive that it is very difficult to follow. I heard it at a much faster speed in order to keep me from being bored. I would look for an abridged version.
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2 people found this helpful
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- G. DiGiorgi
- 12-11-18
Intense and fascinating story!
This is an amazing chronicle. Yeah sure: lots of legal details etc. but what a history, what drama, and real life! I found it totally absorbing.
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- Hugo Alvarado
- 04-07-18
Awesome! a very interesting subject. I loved it
a very interesting subject, I loved the first part, second part was tough but very well described.
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- Jan Sapper
- 03-09-17
Much too detailed if you're not a lawyer!
I completely agree with some of the review saying that it's much too detailed. I would add that it might be interesting for people who are really into law. Anyone else who is simply interested in Polaroids or Edwin Lands history can actually skip the second part if you listen to this audiobook in parts.
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- William
- 12-23-23
Genius, Greed, Hubris, and Legal Drama
Two books in one. It seems like a biography of Edwin H. Land, and that it is. It’s a story of genius about the man who still holds third place in the number of patents granted by the US Patent Office (with 535 patents, behind only Edison and Elihu Thompson) and whom Steve Jobs outspokenly admired and revered as "a national treasure," and who modeled much of his career after his. But it turns into a story of corporate greed and hubris with a 15-year patent war with Kodak and Land’s company as what started as a cooperative and mutually beneficial business relationship was was destroyed when Kodak decided to directly compete without regard to the patents Land and his company had received, assuming that, with it’s near infinite resources, it would prevail. The author, Ronald K. Fierstein, had a front row seat to this part of the book because he was a young attorney assigned to the team to work on this case, giving him access to not only the history, but to internal documents and records from both the company and the law office that would not be available to anyone else. Oh, and Land’s company was a familiar one to most of us as the maker of instant cameras, the Polaroid Company.
Land has a lot in common with a lot of the tech wizards of the computer era. He dropped out of Harvard in his first year because he had an idea and wanted to spend full time on developing it. He had long been obsessed with light and especially interested in polarization and what it could do. He experimented with ways to make glass polarize and just before his 20th birthday, he filed his first patent application for a plastic “sheet polarizer” to eliminate glare. His first target was automobile companies, hoping that they would adopt it to prevent the blinding glare of headlights at night, which caused many traffic accidents. However, it turned out to be a hard sell since it would only work if both cars used it. But it did turn out to be very attractive for reducing glare in photography, in film making, and in sunglasses. You’ve likely had a pair of sunglasses with his technology. And this also started his partnership with the Kodak Company.
World War II generated a steady stream of government orders for polarized instruments and tools, which bolstered the company financially through its early years. In fact, the crew of the Enola Gay wore “special Polaroid adjustable glasses” when they dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. But then something else tripped Land’s creative genius. In 1943, on a family vacation trip out west, his daughter complained of having to wait to send the film off to get it developed before she see the prints. Land began to think. Why couldn’t there be some way to automate, mechanize, and shrink all of that developing process to make it a part of the camera itself so that you could, at least within minutes, see you photo? He immediately started to think and take notes and when he returned to his lab, he got to work in earnest. To do so would not just be mechanical. It would require a different chemical process. But, light was his passion and he got to work.
At this point, a person who just wants a story might think that the “biography” is starting to lag because Fierstein goes into great detail about the process of doing so over several chapters, discussing chemical processes, the physics of light, the mechanics of loading and moving the film through the process, and so on. He details failures and success and how little ideas and tiny changes became crucial to making it work. He lists key patents that were received along the way. The first model produced sepia prints in 1948. In 1950, they became black and white. Peel-apart color came in 1963 and instant, watch-it-develop color was introduced in 1972. Geeks will love this part of the book and you begin to feel that the real subject is the Polaroid Camera with Land and his team playing supporting roles. But Polaroid outsourced the manufacturing of its film to Kodak, which produced and ever increasing profit stream for Kodak.
With such a growing market, Kodak decided that it must get in and after first trying to develop its own process, when Polaroid introduced its vastly superior camera in 1972, Kodak used its knowledge of Polaroid’s process to create its on. When Polaroid received word that Kodak was going to enter the instant photography market, they immediately sued for patent infringement even before the Kodak camera actually came on the market in 1976. And here the book shifts again because here Fierstein begans to also educate us on patent law and only the painfully slow legal process and how a good legal team can drag out a case for years. He also explains to us how fragil a patent is in spite of its power. A patent gives its holder a type of monopoly, at least over the exact product or process covered and for a limited period of time. Tweaks to the patent can extend it even longer. That gives the patent-holder some power and that power is granted by a patent office with absolute power to grant it. However, if the patent-holder decides that he must exercise that power against another, then the decision goes to the legal system and that brings risk because a judge can now study the patent again with all the persuasive arguments presented by the person accused of “stealing” that patent and the judge can invalidate the patent. And in the decades up until the 70s, when taken to court, most patents were invalidated.
Kodak tried to argue that Polaroid had abused the patent system by patenting “nominal advances” that were obvious to anyone skilled in the field and that they had tried to use the patent system to create an impenetrable wall that gave them a monopoly over an entire field that coud be perpetuated on with incremental patents. That was Kodak’s great gamble, that they could hire enough good minds to convince a judge who was not an expert to throw out Polaroids patents. Fierstein considers this case a turning point in the history of patent law that strengthened the patent system and he covers it also in great detail. Even for someone with little legal understanding, he explains everything very clearly and made it interesting enough to keep me from wanting to skip ahead. And in this part, Land also returned to take a key role, even as, toward the end, he had retired from the company. Land had another “genius” and that was the ability to distill complicated issues into simple statements and descriptions that almost anyone could understand. Land died shortly afterwards, in 1991.
The case tied both companies up for 15 years and in the end, Polaroid won, preserving 7 of the 10 patents that he challenged Kodak of infringing on. Kodak was ordered to pay over $1 billion. It had to buy back al the cameras sold during that time, write off a great deal of machinery, and lay of hundreds of workers. But it also distracted both companies from the next stage of “instant photography,” the digital revolution.
This book is more than a biography. It’s a legal thriller. It’s a technology nerd’s dream. And I enjoyed it. That’s not to say that everyone would, but it gave me a new appreciation for another of history’s geniuses.
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- DebbieM
- 01-12-23
Great Story
Well researched account of the battle by Polaroid to defend their patents against infringement by Kodak.
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