life:

Contrary to what some consumers, amateur photographers and even die-hard techies might assume, instant photography has been around a lot longer than the digital camera and the iPhone. In fact, it’s been around for more than six decades, ever since the scientist, visionary and Polaroid co-founder Edwin H. Land introduced his first “Land Camera” way back in 1947.

Here, on Edwin Land’s birthday (he was born May 7, 1909, in Bridgeport Conn.), and a full 40 years after the SX-70 was introduced, LIFE.com pays tribute to Land’s vision and his determination to, as he once put it, “provide an opportunity for creativity that other photography doesn’t allow.”

Also in the gallery are pictures made with the SX-70 by LIFE photographer Co Rentmeester, who experimented with the camera while shooting the cover story on Land for the October 27, 1972, issue of the magazine.