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First motion picture is conceived
In 1878, Eadweard Muybridge and his friends create the world’s first motion picture. It features a man on a horse galloping, with the motion picture lasting a grand total of 2 seconds. -
Thomas Edison creates the kinetoscope
The kinetoscope is invented and is one of the first devices to show motion pictures. Parlors with these kinetoscopes became set up where people would pay to watch pictures that move. These usually lasted about 4 seconds. -
The beginning of movie screenings
With the film created by brothers Louis and Auguste Lumiere, the world’s first movie screening to the public took place. -
The Great Train Robbery is released, the first movie with a true plot
It was created by Edwin S. Porter, and was a pioneer in creating movies with meaningful plots. It featured action, robberies, not to mention a man shooting towards the camera at the end. -
Hollywood is created
Because of Thomas Edison's company owning many patents for film making, many filmmakers would have to stop their productions in New York in fear of being sued or beaten. As a result, during the 1910s, filmmakers would flee to California to begin anew away from Thomas Edison's goonies. This lead to the creation of Hollywood that we know today. -
Jazz Singer, the first movie with full sound and voice is released
Jazz Singer marks the end of an era of silent films, and begins anew with “talkies” becoming more popular -
Golden age of Hollywood begins; advancements in color
America was going through the Great Depression during this time, with many looking for escapism through movies. People specifically favored horror during this time, and movies such as Dracula and Frankenstein were very successful. -
Animated show Tom and Jerry is created
Tom and Jerry is very important in film history because it pioneered pop culture within the film industry. Not only that, but during a time of war, specifically World War 2, Tom and Jerry served as a way to escape from what was going on. -
First uses of the "hand-held" camera technique
A film director from Japan named Akira Kurosawa creates Rashoumon (1950) , which was one of the first once to use a hand-held camera technique. Not only that, it also was one of the few that pointed the camera directly at the sun. -
Declination of Hollywood
Studios situated in Hollywood faced financial difficulties in the 1960s due to many other countries beginning to make films of their own. Films that were more old fashioned however (such as Mary Poppins) , continued to be successful. -
Jaws is released; pioneers as one of the first blockbuster films
Jaws by Steven Spielberg was released in 1975 and was a major success in the film industry. It created the concept known today as "blockbuster" and many more movies would follow that are smash hits such as Star Wars (1977) by George Lucas. -
VCRs are popularized
Many people begin wanting to watch movies from home on VCRs and while they were attempted to be banned at first, eventually became another way to gain revenue for filmmakers. The ability to sell and rent movies became very convenient and appealing.
