keithwms
Member
Coincident to recent events, I have been reading a fascinating biography of Dr. Edwin Land, written by Victor McElheny.
The title of the biography is "Insisting on the Impossible" - and it could be said that McElheny did just that by researching this book. Ironically, it seems that our subject, who devoted his life to recording fleeting moments, had no interest in having his history written. Land instructed an assistant to destroy all of his personal notes upon his death.
So, it is through careful research that McElheny serves a wonderful glimpse into the life and times of one of America's most inventive minds.
The book is written with sufficient technical and historical detail to engage any level of photographer, scientist or armchair inventor, while also providing real insight into Land's upbringing, motivation, personal life, and creativity. There is much more to Land's story than Polaroid.
Particularly now, when one sometimes feels that there is no more place for originality at the junction of art and science, this is a thoroughly enjoyable and invigorating read.
P.S. Sorry, but please do not ask me to loan the book out, I am going to force it upon some of my students over the coming months. It contains many valuable lessons for students of any age.
The title of the biography is "Insisting on the Impossible" - and it could be said that McElheny did just that by researching this book. Ironically, it seems that our subject, who devoted his life to recording fleeting moments, had no interest in having his history written. Land instructed an assistant to destroy all of his personal notes upon his death.
So, it is through careful research that McElheny serves a wonderful glimpse into the life and times of one of America's most inventive minds.
The book is written with sufficient technical and historical detail to engage any level of photographer, scientist or armchair inventor, while also providing real insight into Land's upbringing, motivation, personal life, and creativity. There is much more to Land's story than Polaroid.
Particularly now, when one sometimes feels that there is no more place for originality at the junction of art and science, this is a thoroughly enjoyable and invigorating read.
P.S. Sorry, but please do not ask me to loan the book out, I am going to force it upon some of my students over the coming months. It contains many valuable lessons for students of any age.