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Film History Timeline

By Melyodas

  • Multiple inventions

    Multiple inventions
    In the 1880s, multiple inventors began working on various sorts of moving picture cameras or motion picture cameras. The first films were created by the end of the decade.

  • First Public Displays

    First Public Displays
    The first public showings of films took place in the 1890s. The first theater was built in Philadelphia in 1899. Film companies began building film studios around 1900.

  • The Great Train Robbery

    The Great Train Robbery
    In 1903, the Edison Corporation produced the first western, and established the use of shots and editing in film. This also marks the growing popularity of story films, over daily life scenes or news.

  • Edison's Kinetophone

    Edison's Kinetophone
    Edison invented the Kinetophone, making talkies an option. They would not become popular for more than 20 years, however.

  • The Jazz Singer

    The Jazz Singer
    Released in 1927, The Jazz Singer is the first feature-length talkie. The film starred Vaudeville sensation Al Jolson.

  • Technicolour

    Technicolour
    With the release of Becky Sharp, audiences could now see films in technicolor. Two-color film technology had been available, but rarely used since 1922.

  • McCarthyism

    McCarthyism
    Hollywood was threatened by McCarthyism, with its accusations of communism. The Hollywood Ten refused to divulge any communist leanings and were imprisoned for contempt of court.

  • First 3-D Film

    First 3-D Film
    The first 3-D film, relying upon stereoscopic technology, achieved wide release in 1953. Earlier attempts had been made, but the 1950s saw the popularity of 3-d.

  • Wide Screen

    Wide Screen
    With the invention of television, film needed to up its game. New widescreen processes to produce bigger and more exciting films were the answer.

  • Motion Picture Ratings

    Motion Picture Ratings
    Motion picture ratings were introduced in 1968, with G, PG, R and X. PG-13 came significantly later. The X rating will later be replaced by NC-17.

  • Introduction of the Steadycam

    Introduction of the Steadycam
    The Steadycam, first used in Rocky, became available offering new options to filmmakers.

  • Home Entertainment Revenues Exceeded Box Office

    Home Entertainment Revenues Exceeded Box Office
    In 2003, for the first time, home entertainment revenues exceeded the box office. The DVD took over for the video cassette in 2003 as well.

  • Growth of 3D films (2003 Onward)

    Growth of 3D films (2003 Onward)
    With improving technology, 3D films became more popular. In addition, a number of new IMAX facilities, offering larger format screens were constructed. Today, many large-budget films can be watched in 2D or 3D.