DOC The Woodcut Artist's Handbook: Techniques and Tools for Relief Printmaking (Woodcut Artist's Handbook: Techniques Tools for Relief Printmaking) by George Walker in Arts-Photography

Review

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful. Interesting and Engrossing!By mcaseyoA wonderful and well-written biographical legal thriller which I thoroughly enjoyed. I highly recommend this book and have told many of my friends and family about it. The book tells the tale of a man whose work and life continues to influence technological innovation today -- I never knew that one of Steve Jobsrsquo; biggest heroes was Edwin Land; the inventor of Polaroid!4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A company built by a visionary techie in competition with the monarch of photography - a triumph of the U.S. patent systemBy Gerry ElmanHaving just read Ron Fiersteins riveting work; let me invite you to return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear; when photographs were captured on film; and "instant photography" had just been pioneered by Edwin Lands Polaroid Corporation.Fiersteins work profiles a company built by a visionary techie in competition with the reigning monarch of photography; Kodak of the Yellow Box. It will be instructive to those who aspire to chart the path of businesses that battle for hegemony by introducing products embodying "disruptive" technology. (Are you listening; denizens of Silicon Valley?)Fittingly; I write this on April 26; 2015; being celebrated as World Intellectual Property Day. The fulcrum of Fiersteins narrative is the patent litigation that Polaroid pursued and won against Kodak; after Kodak introduced its own version of a one-step instant color photography system. As an attorney in the law firm that represented Polaroid in that suit; the author was in the catbird seat to gain intimate knowledge of the facts and strategy. He now has effectively realized the opportunity that arises with the passage of time; to reveal in detail the hitherto-secret backroom machinations of the disputing parties. For my colleagues in the patent profession; it is a "must read" case study that illuminates strategy and tactics that eventually succeeded in eliminating the me-too Kodak product from the marketplace. To me; it demonstrates the ultimate triumph of the U.S. patent system.At this point in history; the public value of having a system of patents is under question; and the courts and Congress are being encouraged to whittle away at the protections ostensibly provided by patents. A week ago; John Oliver somewhat facetiously presented the issue on his HBO show Last Week Tonight. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bxcc3SM_KAsns=em Those who are willing to walk in the moccasins of Shark Tank investors shown by Oliver would be helpfully enlightened by Fiersteins multifaceted telling of the Polaroid story.-Gerry J. Elman; Patent AttorneyElman Technology Law; P.C.Founding Editor; Biotechnology Law Report5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Reads like a thriller but is a well documented account of ...By Ned TowleA tour de force. Reads like a thriller but is a well documented account of one of Americas greatest geniuses and his fascinating path through scientific breakthroughs; creating a new corporation; and the monumental Kodak Polaroid legal battles. The reader has an inside; front-row; view of scientific advances ground out under the pressure of Edwin Lands visionary goals and the realities of corporate competition and survival.