Polaroid To Stop Making Instant Film

February 27, 2008 12:27 p.m. EST

Concord, Mass. (AHN) - Polaroid is getting out of the instant photography business to focus on digital imaging. It has announced, much to the surprise and shock of photography enthusiasts, that it will stop producing instant film for which it became famous worldwide.

The company had already announced that it will close its two remaining film manufacturing plants in Massachusetts, in Norwood and Waltham, which employed about 150 people and made large-format film for commercial use. It will now focus on digital photography equipment and flat-panel TVs.

Polaroid filed for bankruptcy in 2001 when digital technology eat up demand for instant photography and took its toll on the company's bottomline.

Photographers and enthusiasts worldwide have expressed sadness with the phase-out of Polaroid film, which has become an important part and captured every family occasion and other important events.

For many consumers, especially back then, it was really something to see a Polaroid picture develop right before their eyes.