The Kinetoscope

Summary

In 1889, Thomas Edison was inspired by French scientist Jules Marais's chrono photography during a visit to Paris. This led Edison to collaborate with George Eastman to develop film with sprocket holes for motion picture technology. Edison and his assistant, William Dixon, created the Kinetoscope, a coin-operated viewing cabinet for short films. The first Kinetoscope parlor opened in Manhattan in 1894, captivating the public with its novel entertainment experience.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Thomas Edison was inspired by French scientist Jules Marais's chrono photography during his 1889 visit to Paris.
• 🎥 Edison's innovation was influenced by Marais's method of filming birds using a converted gun to take rapid pictures.
• 📹 Edison collaborated with George Eastman to develop film with sprocket holes for motion picture technology.
• 🔧 Edison's motion picture technology required precise machinery to advance and stop the film at high speeds.
• 🤝 Edison worked closely with his assistant, William Dixon, who was instrumental in the device's optical design.
• 📽️ Dixon produced the first films for Edison's company, contributing to their extensive catalog.
• 🏬 The Kinetoscope, a coin-operated people viewing cabinet, was the first motion picture entertainment device.
• 🚚 The first batch of kinetoscopes was shipped to various locations, including Atlantic City and Chicago, in April 1894.
• 🌐 The world's first commercial Kinetoscope parlor was set up in a former shoe shop near Herald Square in Manhattan.
• 👀 The public was highly attracted to the novelty of the Kinetoscope, leading to a successful opening and widespread curiosity.

Q & A

What significant event during Edison's visit to Paris in 1889 inspired his work on motion picture technology?

Edison was inspired by French scientist Jules Marais's chrono photography, which captured 12 consecutive images per second on a long continuous piece of film.

How did Jules Marais's method of filming birds influence Edison?

Marais had been filming birds by converting a gun into a camera, allowing him to take rapid pictures by pulling the trigger. This method influenced Edison to experiment with roll film motion picture technology.

What was the technical challenge Edison faced in developing motion picture technology?

Edison had to develop film that could stop and advance quickly to capture and display images 20-30 times a second, and also be sensitive and durable enough for the process.

Who did Edison collaborate with to develop the film with sprocket holes?

Edison worked with George Eastman to develop the film with sprocket holes, which was crucial for the advancement of the film in the camera.

What was Edison's contribution to the development of the motion picture camera?

Edison developed a terrific camera that could advance the film, stop it, and advance it again in a precise manner necessary for motion picture technology.

Who was responsible for the optics of Edison's motion picture device?

Edison's assistant, William Dixon, who was also a sometime photographer, was largely responsible for the optics of the device.

What was the name of the device that Edison's company used to show short films to the public?

The device was called a Kinetoscope, a coin-operated people viewing cabinet designed to show short loops of film.

When and where were the first Kinetoscopes shipped to?

The inaugural batch of kinetoscopes was shipped from West Orange in April 1894 to Atlantic City, Chicago, and a small storefront in Manhattan near Herald Square.

What was the public's initial reaction to the Kinetoscope?

The public was overwhelmed and attracted to the novelty of the Kinetoscope, leading to a large influx of curiosity seekers and customers.

What did the Kinetoscope parlor in Manhattan, a former shoe shop, become known as?

It became known as the world's first commercial Kinetoscope parlor, marking a significant milestone in the history of motion picture entertainment.

What was the purpose of the short features produced by the Edison company for the Kinetoscope?

The short features were meant to be shown one at a time on the Kinetoscope, providing a new form of entertainment to the public.