-
Eadweard Muybridge and Motion Pictures
Eadweard Muybridge utilized high-speed stop motion pictures to prove that horses lifted all four hooves off the ground when galloping at full speed. It is thought that Muybridge was attempting to settle a bet that had been made in 1872, 6 years prior. While making these sequenced photos, he realized that the pictures created an optical illusion, making it seem as if the picture was moving. -
Invention of the Kinetoscope by Thomas Edison
The first prototype kinetoscope would be revealed at a convention of the Nation Federation of Women's Clubs. However, the developement of the kinetoscope took place a few years prior in 1889 and would be deemed finished in 1892. -
Invention of the Cinematographe
The Lumiere Brothers would go on to pass Edison in kinetoscope technology. Although, Edison originally thought of this idea, he did not want to unveil it because he made more money forcing individual people to watch on his peephole kinetoscope. The Lumiere Brothers did what Edison did not want to do, and projected the motion picture for a whole audience to see. The first viewing with a paying audience took place on December, 28, 1895. -
The Great Train Robbery
Edwin S. Porter, a former Edison employee, created the first short film. It was a 12 minutes and contained 14 scenes. This was a huge milestone in film. -
Introduction of Nickelodeons
The nickelodeon was a small indoor space that was dedicated to viewing motion pictures. Harry David and John P. Harris would open the first "Nickelodeon" on June 19, 1905. They put together the word "Nickel", which was the cost of viewing, and the Greek word "Odeon" which meant a theater. Nickelodeons would become extremely popular, estimating that 26 million Americans would visit a Nickelodeon every week in 1910. -
Founding of the Motion Picture Patents Company (MPPC)
Thomas Edison would attempt to create a monopoly using Nickelodeons to create a huge profit. In the December of 1908, Thomas Edison would start the founding of the Motion Picture Patents Company. He would go on to control most of the film industry, from cameras to actors. Being an independent studio would be extremely risky as Thomas Edison would threaten the studios and vandalize equipment and even harm their actors. -
Period: to
Downfall of the MPPC
The MPPC would always attempt to control the film industry through restrictive patents and force. However, may independent film studios would migrate west to California to escape the patents of the MPPC, as well as the threat of being shut down. In California, the independent studios would find that the naturally sunny lighting of California would aid in producing quality films. Also, close proximity to Mexico meant that the independent studios could escape the MPPC if threatened. -
First Blow to the MPPC
In 1911, Eastman Kodak would modify his contract with the MPPC to allow the selling of its raw film stock to unlicensed indepent studios. Kodak film would then lead the market with quility and price, leaving behind the MPPC. Within a year, the showing independent films would increase to 50% of all theaters. -
Ending of the MPPC
A federal court decision would end the MPPC and ruled that the MPPC's patents were an illegal restraint of trade. They would ignore the MPPC's appeals and ultimately shut them down in 1918. -
Charlie Chaplin "The Kid"
Charlie Chaplin was a well-known comedic artist during this era. His first feature film would be "The Kid", a silent full-length film. It would come out to be a huge success, ranking the second highest-grossing film in 1921. It would also be regarded as one of the greatest films of the "Silent Era", -
Introduction of Sound Films, The Jazz Singer
Sound in films were thought impossible, until the release of "The Jazz Singer" which featured synchronized dialogue sequences. The first of its kind, it was a major success and started the decline of silent films, and the rise of "talkies". -
Rise of Techni-color Films, The Wizard of Oz
Although not the first techni-color film, The Wizard of Oz used color film to extreme success. By transitioning from the black and white landscape of Kansas, to the color world of Oz, The Wizard of Oz would go to be recognized as one the greatest films ever.
