End of instant film is near, Polaroid says

WALTHAM, Mass., Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Polaroid Corp. said it would stop making instant film in February, calling a halt to the production of a U.S. product icon

The film that allowed pictures to develop in the consumers' hand has been a symbol of modern technology and a marvel for photographers for decades. But, like cars with big fins and the phonograph album, instant film has been shoved aside by progress -- albeit with a dedicated base of nostalgic customers. CNN reported Monday.

One devotee, Tacey Willis, a Los Angeles artist, abruptly spent the money she'd saved for the down payment on a car to buy film, when Polaroid announced in late 2007 that it would stop making the instant film.

Half way through a project of taking one instant-film snapshot each day, "I really freaked when they came out with the memo," she told CNN.

More recently, devoted fans have started a Web site, SavePolaroid.com, with 4,000 members who are dedicated to convincing another company to produce the film.

"For me, watching a Polaroid picture develop is like watching a memory form right before your eyes," wrote Sean Tubridy, who helped start the Web site.