Trivia quiz: Brief history of Polaroids

Think you know your Polaroid history? From dark rooms and deadly chemicals to pocket-sized instant magic, this quiz is the perfect way to test your knowledge after watching A Brief History of Polaroids video here on mused. Whether you’re a camera nerd or just love a good quiz, it’s time to see how much you remember. Ready… set… SNAP!

Question 1Question 1 out of 10:

What was the name of the very first commercial camera, invented in 1839?

A: Kodak Box Brownie B: Daguerreotype C: Polaroid 95 D: Instax Mini

Question 2Question 2 out of 10:

Why were children often photographed with blankets over them in early photos?

A: They were always cold B: It was a photo trend C: Their mums were hiding under blankets to hold them still D: They were pretending to be ghosts

Question 3Question 3 out of 10:

Which deadly chemicals were used in old photo development?

A: Vinegar and salt B: Mercury and potassium cyanide C: Bleach and lemon juice D: Ammonia and chalk

Question 4Question 4 out of 10:

What did Kodak ask you to do with your camera after using all 100 shots?

A: Recharge it B: Post it back to them C: Smash it D: Take it to the Queen

Question 5Question 5 out of 10:

What inspired Edwin Land to invent instant photography?

A: A dream about lightning B: Losing a photo at a party C: A challenge from his daughter D: His camera broke mid-holiday

Question 6Question 6 out of 10:

What made the inside of a Polaroid camera so revolutionary?

A: It could make phone calls B: It was like a teeny tiny darkroom C: It had a built-in paintbrush D: It worked underwater

Question 7Question 7 out of 10:

How much did the first Polaroid camera cost in 1948 (adjusted to today’s money)?

A: £200 B: $99 C: $1,200 D: £200,000,000

Question 8Question 8 out of 10:

What was special about the Polaroid SX-70, launched in 1973?

A: It came in rainbow colours B: It was pocket-sized and had the iconic white border C: It printed photos from the top D: It played disco music

Question 9Question 9 out of 10:

Which famous photographer used Polaroids for surreal art with tiger heads and butterflies?

A: Linda McCartney B: Kaveh Golestan C: Glen Luchford D: Banksy

Question 10Question 10 out of 10:

What saved instant photography from extinction in the 2000s?

A: A Polaroid musical B: A brand revival and the Instax boom C: Robots found old cameras D: Gen Z discovered it on VHS

Are you ready to get your results?

See your results