Take a look at the above photo.

Its time for a Pop Culture Quiz!

Last night, on the radio show, I invited you to go to my "Craig's List" page (part of the Weekends page, here at nj1015.com), and try to identify the product in the photo...and/or the company that made what you see.

Previous to issuing the challenge online, I had challenged several family members and friends (of all ages)...and most took a quick look at the (above) photo, and answered incorrectly.

The "clue" is the color scheme.

Doe this view help? (Craig Allen photo).
Does this view help? (Craig Allen photo).
loading...

I'll pull back, so that you can see more of the item in question...

As a kid, I remember that in the 70's and 80's, all you had to do is see the color scheme...and you instantly knew, without even reading the box...

I've turned the box around...so that you can read the company logo... (Craig Allen photo).
I've turned the box around...so that you can read the company logo... (Craig Allen photo).
loading...

...that this is a Polaroid product. The colors on the white box were all that the home shutterbug needed! You could be looking at either the camera, film, or flashbulbs!

So......did you guess "Polaroid?"

I'll bet that you didn't know that Polaroid introduced its first "consumer" camera in...1947!

The Land Camera Model 95 was the first to use "instant film" that turned out pictures without sending film to the laboratory to be developed and printed.

The Model 95, and subsequent models, required a few careful steps on the part of the camera user: The all-in-one film negative and chemically-treated paper (the picture) had to be manually removed from the camera, in a slow and even pull/movement.

Next, you waited 60 seconds for the photo to fully "develop."

Then, you peeled the photo away from its developing chemical pack/sheet. Many a budding home photographer would be left with chemicals on his or her hands....

Its a Polaroid! (Craig Allen photo).
Its a Polaroid! (Craig Allen photo archives).
loading...

And, you waited a few minutes for the photo to dry!  I remember my Dad waving the "polaroid picture" to help it dry faster (although nowhere in the instructions was this ever suggested).

Above, the only Polaroid picture that I still have...and as you can see, the developing chemicals did not spread particularly evenly. Either that, or the film pack had been getting old by the time that my mom took this picture "back in the day." Way back...

Being early adopters of technology, my parents had a camera model that preceded the next big Polaroid leap...(so we never had the need for):

From my "pop culture" collection... (Craig Allen photo).
From my "pop culture" collection... (Craig Allen photo).
loading...

The Polaroid SX-70...introduced in 1972 by its inventor, Dr. Edwin Land...with great fanfare!

As published in LIFE Magazine in 1972. (Craig Allen photo).
As published in LIFE Magazine 43 years ago, this month. (Craig Allen photo).
loading...

Unlike the earlier Polaroid cameras, the SX-70, and subsequent models, ejected the film automatically. After about 30 seconds, the image would start to appear through its blue-green "instant darkroom," made up of 17 layers of  chemicals. And, there was no chemical residue to get on one's hands (with no leftover paper and chemical "garbage," in Land's own words).

The first SX-70 sold for $180!  Remember...1972 dollars!

Polaroid film came in a 10-pack, at about 50 cents a picture (1972). The film pack came with a built-in battery that powered the camera.

Over the years, the cost of Polaroid cameras, film and accessories would come down.

The Model 1000 "One Step" camera, using SX-70 film, was introduced in time for the 1977 Christmas gift-buying season. Its $40 price helped make the camera affordable to the masses.

A great deal of the technology used in the folding SX-70 was used in the later "rigid box" cameras, including the aforementioned  "One Step," "The Pronto," "The Presto"...and the camera that I just found at my grandmother's place:

The Button, "posing" in front of its colorful box. (Craig Allen photo).
The Button, "posing" in front of its colorful box. (Craig Allen photo).
loading...

"The Button."

I want to see it "spit out" a picture! (Craig Allen photo).
I want to see it "spit out" a picture! (Craig Allen photo).
loading...

This Polaroid camera was introduced in 1981.

The Button, from the picture-taker's perspective. (Craig Allen photo).
The Button, from the photographer's perspective. (Craig Allen photo).
loading...

The Button had an early-80's price of around $30. It uses SX-70 film...and, while it does not come with its own flash, it accepts flash bars (which are no longer made), and electronic flashes (which can be found online, or in specialty camera shops).

Film stock availability, you ask?

Various formulations (new and improved over the years) of the Polaroid SX-70 film started being phased out through the 1990's. The SX-70 "Time Zero" film ceased production in early 2006. However, some original film packs can be found online (at highly inflated prices). And, there is a company that manufactures and sells SX-70-like photo stock (I am not giving them a free plug here). A little research will quickly bring you to their site. Just beware...a number of bloggers state that pictures can be a bit "washed out," or overexposed. It is speculated that this is more a factor of the film than the camera itself. The "new" film that is available uses a "different chemistry" than the original Polaroid film stock.

Above: I had to go to England...to get a "Button" in action on TV...

If you want to experience 1970's/1980's-style "instant" gratification...and you don't have a Polaroid camera...there are several that you can buy TONIGHT, online. Prices range from around (the original back-then price of) $30...to $7 for a "Button" camera. Bid or buy...

Now, I wish that I had grabbed that camera...instead of leaving it on the table at my grandmother's place in Wisconsin. You see, its not mine.......so, I didn't feel right doing more than taking pictures of the camera (and box)...that could be used to take pictures.

Now...I want to PLAY!

Polaroid style!

I may have to put in a fast bid...

In the meantime..."you know what to do..."

..."Shake It Like A Polaroid Picture!"

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM