Kinetoscope

Kinetoscope is an early motion picture exhibition device. The Kinetoscope was designed for films to be viewed by one individual at a time through a peephole viewer window at the top of the device. The Kinetoscope was not a movie projector, but introduced the basic approach that would become the standard for all cinematic projection before the advent of video, by creating the illusion of movement by conveying a strip of perforated film bearing sequential images over a light source with a high-speed shutter.

Development

The Kinetoscope was developed by Thomas Edison and William Kennedy Laurie Dickson, Edison's assistant. Dickson, a photographer, was tasked with finding a solution to recording and viewing moving images. The development of the Kinetoscope was influenced by Edison's work on the phonograph and his desire to create a visual equivalent. In 1888, Edison filed a patent caveat for a device he described as an "optical phonograph" designed for the purpose of "doing for the Eye what the phonograph does for the Ear". The final version of the Kinetoscope was completed in 1891, with the first film for the device being shot in 1893.

Functionality

The Kinetoscope's operation was based on the fast movement of a strip of film past a light source. A continuous loop of film, which could be up to 50 feet long, was used. This film strip was threaded around a series of spools and passed over a light source with a high-speed shutter. As the viewer looked through the peephole, they saw the images on the film strip rapidly passing in front of the light, creating the illusion of motion. The device was coin-operated, with viewers paying to see short films, which lasted about 30 seconds.

Impact

The introduction of the Kinetoscope marked a significant milestone in the development of cinema. It was the first step towards the development of motion picture cameras and projectors that would later allow for films to be shown to larger audiences. The Kinetoscope parlors, where multiple Kinetoscopes were installed, became the first commercial motion picture exhibition spaces. Although the Kinetoscope itself was eventually superseded by movie projectors that could play films to an audience, its development was crucial in the evolution of film technology.

Legacy

The Kinetoscope's legacy lies in its role in the birth of cinema. It demonstrated the potential of motion pictures as a form of entertainment and laid the groundwork for the development of the film industry. The device also contributed to the understanding of how the human eye perceives motion, influencing future technologies in film and animation.

See Also

• Cinematograph
• Phonograph
• History of film
• Thomas Edison
• William Kennedy Laurie Dickson

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