The History of Film

By jonfalcon

  • First Still Photograph Taken

    The first still photograph was taken using a glass plate technique by Claude Niepce. The photograph was taken of a view fom a window at Le Gras. It took neraly eight hourse to expose.

  • First Phenakistoscope Was Introduced

    First Phenakistoscope Was Introduced
    Joseph Plateau and his sons introduce the Phenakistoscope. Like other toys of its kind, the Phenakistoscope was one of the more successful illusion toys. Pictures on one disc viewed through slots in the other, appeared to move when the two were spun and viewed in a mirror.

  • Henry Fox Talbot Makes Improtant Advancement in Photograph Production

    Henry Fox Talbot introduces negatives on paper instead of glass. Also around this time it became possible to print photographic images on glass slides which could be projected using magic lanterns.

  • Invention of Intermittent Mechanisms

    Important in the development of motion pictures was the invention of intermittent mechanisms - particularly those used in sewing machines.

  • Emile Reynaud Introduces the Praxinoscope

    Emile Reynaud Introduces the Praxinoscope
    Similar in design to Horner's Zoetrope, the illusion of movement produced by the Praxinoscope was viewed on mirrors in the centre of the drum rather than through slots on the outside.

  • George Eastman Devises a Still Camera

    George Eastman devises a still camera which produces photographs on sensitised paper which he sells using the name Kodak.

  • Edison and Dickson Build a Studio

    Edison and Dickson build a studio on the grounds of Edison's laboratories in New Jersey, to produce films for their kinetoscope. The Black Maria was ready for film production at the end of January.

  • British Filmmaker James Williamson Produces "The Big Swallow"

    British filmmaker James Williamson produces "The Big Swallow" which demonstrated the ingenuity of the Brighton School (of filmmakers) of which he and George Smith were principle contributors.

  • Fire Devastates Vitagraph Company of America Studios

    A fire devastates the studios of the Vitagraph Company of America, the leading film producer in the U.S. Numerous negatives are destroyed.

  • The U.S. Supreme Court Cancels All of the Motion Picture Patents Company's patents

    The U.S. Supreme Court cancels all of the Motion Picture Patents Company's (MPPC) patents. The "Edison Trust" loses its battle to control the motion picture industry and soon dissolves.

  • American Motion Picture Production is Reduced by 50%

    Due to a lack of overseas markets, American motion picture production is reduced by 50%, putting 5,000 out of work.

  • Warner Bros. Takes Over the Vitagraph Company of America

    Warner Bros. takes over the Vitagraph Company of America. As part of the agreement, Warner Bros. inherits all research undertaken by Vitagraph in the field of sound.

  • Darryl F. Zanuck is Named the Head of Production for Warner Bros

    Darryl F. Zanuck is named the head of production for Warner Bros.–First National.

  • KO, Warner Bros., and Paramount are Summoned to Appear Before a Grand Jury

    RKO, Warner Bros., and Paramount are summoned to appear before a grand jury on charges of monopolistic practices.

  • There Are 17,500 Movie Theaters in Operation,

    In the United States there are 17,500 movie theaters in operation, one for every 8,000 people. Out of a total U.S. population of 130 million, it is estimated that 55–60 million Americans go to the movies every week.

  • President Harry Truman abolishes the Office of War Information (OWI) and its Bureau of Motion Pictures.

    President Harry Truman abolishes the Office of War Information (OWI) and its Bureau of Motion Pictures.

  • The U.S. Now Has 11,300 traditional Movie Theaters, and 4,700 Drive–in Movie Theaters

    The U.S. now has 11,300 traditional movie theaters, and 4,700 drive–in movie theaters.

  • Last To Use Technicolor's Three-strip Cameras

    Universal–International releases “Foxfire”, starring Jane Russell and Jeff Chandler. This was the last Hollywood film to use Technicolor's three–strip cameras.

  • The “King of Hollywood”, Clark Gable, Has Died at the Age of 60 After Suffering a Heart Attack

    The “King of Hollywood”, Clark Gable, has died at the age of 60 after suffering a heart attack. Gable had just finished filming John Huston's film “The Misfits”, and had recently learned that his wife, Kay Spreckels, was pregnant and that he would be a father for the first time.

  • The Sound of Music Premieres

    The Sound of Music premieres. An instant hit, the film was one of the top-grossing films of 1965 and remains one of film's most popular musicals.

  • George C. Scott Gives One of Film's Most Memorable Performances in Patton

    George C. Scott gives one of film's most memorable performances in Patton. He won the Best Actor Oscar for his turn as the title character, but refused the gold statuette.

  • The Steadicam is Used for the First Timme in Rocky

    The Steadicam is used for the first time in Rocky.

  • The X Rating is Rreplaced by NC-17

    The X rating is replaced by NC-17 (no children under 17).

  • Titanic Crashes Into Theaters

    Titanic crashes into theaters. It is the most expensive film of all time, costing between $250 and $300 million to produce and market.

  • Warner Bros. Announces Daniel Radcliffe Will Play Harry Potter

    Warner Bros. announces that 11-year-old British actor Daniel Radcliffe will play the titular wizard in Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone, the first film to be adapted from the wildly popular series of young adult books by J. K. Rowling. The film is due out Thanksgiving 2001.

  • George Lucas Completes His Six-film Series

    With the release of Stars Wars Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith, George Lucas completes his six-film series.