Fred Ott's Sneeze

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Fred Ott's Sneeze is an 1894 short film produced by Edison Manufacturing Company. It is one of the earliest motion pictures ever made and is notable for being the first film to be copyrighted in the United States.

Production

The film was directed by William K.L. Dickson and William Heise, who were pioneering filmmakers working for Thomas Edison. The film features Fred Ott, an employee of Edison's laboratory, performing a sneeze. The film was shot using the Kinetoscope, an early motion picture exhibition device.

Synopsis

The film is approximately five seconds long and shows Fred Ott taking a pinch of snuff and then sneezing. This simple action was chosen to demonstrate the capabilities of the Kinetoscope and to provide a subject for the new medium of motion pictures.

Historical Significance

"Fred Ott's Sneeze" holds a significant place in the history of cinema. It was the first film to be registered for copyright at the Library of Congress on January 9, 1894. The film is also an example of the early experiments in motion picture technology conducted by Edison's team.

Legacy

The film is preserved by the Library of Congress and is often cited in discussions of the origins of cinema. It is an important artifact in the study of early film history and the development of motion picture technology.

See Also

• Thomas Edison
• Kinetoscope
• William K.L. Dickson
• Library of Congress
• History of film