I Dissected a Polaroid Picture in the Name of Science

Hamilton Q. Karl

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I recently took a Polaroid picture photo, but it turned out to be a dud… so I decided to dissect it for science!

After I took the picture, the photo above is what the camera spit out — I guess that’s how they expire. So lets do some digging!

Here’s the back side:

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The serial number?
The serial number?

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There was a portion that was already starting to de-laminate.
There was a portion that was already starting to de-laminate.
This came off fairly easily.
This came off fairly easily.
Revealing the inside of the Polaroid picture.
Revealing the inside of the Polaroid picture.
Pulled down the chemical pouch, revealing the silver backing.
Pulled down the chemical pouch, revealing the silver backing.
Another serial number?
Another serial number?
Peeled open the pouch, revealing the three separate chambers. The chemicals were VERY viscous, probably what happens when they sit for over 10 years. It's gross.
Peeled open the pouch, revealing the three separate chambers. The chemicals were VERY viscous, probably what happens when they sit for over 10 years.
It's gross.
It’s gross.
Peeled up the negative... I'm guessing that's what its called.
Peeled up the negative… I’m guessing that’s what its called.
The top pouch.
The top pouch.
Whats inside?
Whats inside?
There's a cool pattern on the clear film.
There’s a cool pattern on the clear film.
Peeling off the negative from the top.
Peeling off the negative from the top.
Some sort of cloth/absorbent strip. Maybe to catch excess developer?
Some sort of cloth/absorbent strip. Maybe to catch excess developer?
Tried to see if this separates from the black backing. No luck.
Tried to see if this separates from the black backing. No luck.
The chemical pouch separated easily.
The chemical pouch separated easily.
Clear film separating!
Clear film separating!
Removing the little black strip that kept the clear in place.
Removing the little black strip that kept the clear in place.
Black sticky strip removed.
Black sticky strip removed.
A lot of dried residue.
A lot of dried residue.
Peeling away the iconic white front.
Peeling away the iconic white front.

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It was really flimsy!
It was really flimsy!

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And there you have it!
And there you have it!

About the author: Hamilton Q. Karl is a web developer by trade and a Polaroid enthusiast, photographer, and camera collector at heart. You can find his online portfolio here.

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