A Triumph of Genius Lib/E: Edwin Land, Polaroid, and the Kodak Patent War

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 first-hand 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.

About the Author :
Starting in 1978, Ronald K. Fierstein was a young lawyer on the team of litigators from the prestigious patent law firm of Fish & Neave representing Polaroid in its epic patent battle with Eastman Kodak over instant photography technology. He has enjoyed a long and successful career in the entertainment industry, representing artists in the recording and theater industries. He is a coproducer of the current Broadway hit Kinky Boots. Ron splits his time between Chappaqua, New York, and North Hero, Vermont. Pete Larkin is an AudioFile Earphones Award winner and a 2014 Audie Award finalist. He has wide voice-over and on-camera experience and has worked in virtually all media. He was the public address announcer for the New York Mets from 1988 to 1993. He has worked as a disc jockey in Baltimore, Washington, and New York, including as host of WNEW-FM's highly rated Saturday Morning Sixties program. An award-winning on-camera host, Pete has worked on many industrial films for many of the country's top companies, corporations, and governmental agencies and has done hundreds of commercials, promos, and narrations. His theater experience includes a variety of dramatic, comedic, and musical roles.

Review :
Fierstein brings the story to life in such a way that at the end, the reader actually senses the huge emotional strain that such a long, fierce, and persistent battle entailed for those participating in it.-- "Paul M. Janicke, HIPLA Professor of Law, University of Houston Law Center" "The book will appeal to photographic historians but will also have a wider resonance for those interested in business history, management theory, and the history of science." -- "Dr. Michael Pritchard, FRPS, director-general, Royal Photographic Society" "A really wonderful book! This is a great adventure story. Fierstein brings the story to life in such a way that at the end, the reader actually senses the huge emotional strain that such a long, fierce, and persistent battle entailed for those participating in it." -- "Paul M. Janicke, HIPLA Professor of Law, University of Houston Law Center" "Students of patent law and those who are fascinated with the history of photography will likely have an enjoyable listening experience." -- "AudioFile" "The idea for a camera capable of producing pictures within seconds of being taken came to Land in 1943 when his young daughter expressed disappointment at waiting for images to be developed...When Kodak entered the instant photography market in 1976, Polaroid sued for patent infringement in a case that lasted fifteen years. Fierstein...provides a blow-by-blow account of the case, as well as its extensive backstory. American law enthusiasts will admire Fierstein's meticulous research and analytical prose." -- "Publishers Weekly"