In 1972, Polaroid released the SX-70, a true one-step instant photography, culminating 30 years of technical brilliance. Led by the enigmatic Edwin Land, Polaroid left a deep groove in history. Kids today use the word "polaroid" as a stand in for an instant picture even though they are not impressed by the technology nor know the rich history behind their photograph.

Today’s episode will look at how Edwin Land molded Polaroid in his image and drove the company to create a market, instant photography, through groundbreaking research. Land’s story is endlessly fascinating and we will also look at his secretive but highly influential military career with several U.S. administrations.

The SX-70 was a successful strategy for Polaroid but it also planted the seeds that would eventually derail the company and force it into bankruptcy. This episode might invoke deep feelings of nostalgia as we go back in time to look at one of America’s most influential companies.

Episode Chapters:

(02:23) PART 1 - “If you are right, the facts at the moment don't matter because in due course the facts will catch up with you.”

(08:13) PART 2 - “If anything is worth doing, it's worth doing to excess.”

(45:01) Part 3 - "Do not undertake a program unless the goal is manifestly important and its achievement is nearly impossible."

(01:10:18) Part 4 - "If you are able to state a problem then the problem can be solved. The rest is just hard work."

(01:22:06) Part 5 - "The only thing that keeps us alive is our brilliance. The only thing protecting our brilliance is our patents."

(02:06:37) Part 6 - "The bottom line is in heaven."

(02:28:23) Conclusion

**

P.S. If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds and it really helps others discover the podcast plus I love to hear your feedback.

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Links:

* All episode sources

* Read the full episode transcript

* Bonus content for Polaroid episode

* Get email updates on the next episode, updates from previous ones and bonus content.

* Email me your feedback or questions about the episode

* Background music is called "Adding the Sun" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) / Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Episode 3

In this episode, we will explore the audacious (and crazy) story of Boeing and the release of the 747. The Jumbo Jet (nickname by the press) would go on to change the aviation industry at every level, while allowing a growing middle class to experience air travel.

The 747 is big in every metric possible but this is not necessarily a strategy with a happy ending. The aircraft manufacturing industry is tough and was once described by Jean Pierson, CEO of Airbus, with a single sentence; “you can't win, you can't break even, and you can't quit.” You’ll see why unit economics are inescapable like gravity and why issues can persist for years, such as what we see with the 737 MAX.

Boeing captured the zeitgeist of 1960 America, a bold and innovative era where anything seemed possible. From putting on a man on the moon to toppling the existing political structures. Get ready to go back in time and relive one of the most exciting decades in American history.

Episode Chapters:

(08:49) Boeing: Aviation Royalty

(21:57) The Jet Age

(36:56) The Cultural Decade

(51:13) The 747 is Born

(01:10:38) A Changed World

(01:29:42) Conclusion

**

P.S. If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds and it really helps others discover the podcast plus I love to hear your feedback.

**

Links:

All episode sources

Read the full episode transcript

Get email updates on the next episode, updates from previous ones and bonus content.

Email me your feedback or questions about the episode

Background music is called "Adding the Sun" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) / Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Season 1, Episode 2

In the first ever Stratagems episode, we will deconstruct one of the most iconic American retailers of the past 150 years. However, this is not the big box Sears you may know. This is the mail order catalog Sears, before it ever opened a single retail store. This is the Sears that reshaped America during the early 19th century and was led by its iconic namesake founder: Richard Sears.

This episode will tell the story of how Richard founded Sears and how the organization grew to hundreds of million of dollars in revenue (billions today) by relying primarily on a single advertising channel: the Sears catalog.

However, a great strategy doesn’t last forever and we’ll be reminded of this lesson by the time we get to the end of the episode.

Episode Chapters:

(03:17) Richard Sears and the $165k gold watches

(18:21) Farmers are God's chosen people

(29:40) Railroads as the new basis for civilization

(42:48) Roebuck & the failed retirements

(53:29) The consumer's guide to everything

(01:27:48) Richard was born, he lived, he died, in an age of schemes

(01:54:20) The golden age of mail order

(02:20:00) Conclusion

**

P.S. If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds and it really helps others discover the podcast plus I love to hear your feedback.

**

Links:

* All episode sources

* Read the full episode transcript

* Bonus content for episode

* Get email updates on the next episode, updates from previous ones and bonus content.

* Email me your feedback or questions about the episode

* Background music is called "Adding the Sun" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) / Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Episode 1