Moving Images, Understanding Media

Chapter 2 Inventions and Origins 51

the work of developing and realizing the Kinetograph and

Kinetoscope from Edison’s initial conceptualizations that were

close to his previously developed cylinder phonograph.

Once Dickson and Edison had recently available celluloid

fi lm at their disposal, one of the fi nal necessities for motion

pictures was in place. For a while, Dickson continued to

try to work on Edison’s original conception of a cylinder

device, but this would not work. By 1891, he had produced

two devices that would create and show motion pictures:

the Kinetograph and Kinetoscope. Th e Kinetograph was a

camera that would record the footage, and the Kinetoscope

was a viewing device through which a single person could

watch a motion picture on a small screen. By the fi nal stages

of the creation of these devices, Dickson originated many of

the standards in motion picture technology, such as placing

four sprocket holes per frame.

Th e fi rst public use of the Kinetoscope was in 1893.

By 1894, the machines had achieved great popularity, and

viewing parlors were opening across the country. However,

the concept of a projected picture was still not realized, and

Edison absolutely opposed the idea of projection.

The Beginning of Cinema

Th e fi nal major step in the birth of motion pictures was brought

by two French entrepreneurs, Louis and Auguste Lumière. Having seen an

Edison Kinetoscope in Paris, the brothers were inspired to create a motion

picture machine of their own. With a family-owned laboratory and factory

at his disposal, Louis invented a piece of equipment that created motion

pictures that would be seen projected onto screens in front of audiences: the

cinematograph. Key innovations with this camera were the hand-cranked motor

and a pull-down claw that advanced the fi lm roll through perforations in the

fi lm that Louis administered by hand (see Figure 2-12 and Figure 2-13).

With the cinematograph, the Lumière brothers patented a lightweight,

attractive device that functioned as camera, projector, and printer. Louis

shot a number of fi lms, including Leaving the Factory, Card Party, and

Sprinkling the Sprinkler. On December 28, 1895, the Lumières held a public

screening of their motion pictures for a paying audience, and soon many

viewers were amazed and thrilled to see these movies that lasted about a

minute each.

It is important to note that through their invention, the Lumière brothers

not only brought about the fi rst use of a practical device that would create

fi lms of a signifi cant length, but they also created motion pictures that

generated far more interest than the early Edison shorts. Th e quality of

exterior photography adds signifi cantly to the value and interest of many

of their scenes, such as in Baby’s Meal and Snowball Fight. Additionally,

Figure 2-12 The Lumière Cinematograph.

Figure 2-13 Frames

from the Lumière fi lm

Sprinkling the Sprinkler.

Note the sprocket holes.

(Courtesy Photofest)

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