The movies on the big screen at the cinemas and in home theaters are driven by a technology known as the video projector. The video projector allows us to view very large images and moving pictures without constructing an immense monitor. The invention of this device dates back to the 19th century, though the first movie projector hardly resembles the modern devices we know today.
Zoopraxiscope
The first video projector was invented in the 19th century by Eadward Muybridge and was called the Zoopraxiscope. The device was first used in 1879 in front of a private audience at Mayfield Grange in Palo Alto. The Zoopraxiscope used 16-inch discs originally and later was redesigned to use 12-inch discs. Pictures were affixed to a shutter wheel and light was projected through a lens by a lantern. You can view images of the Zoopraxiscope by clicking the link in the Resources section.
Kinetoscope
The kinetoscope was invented by Thomas Edison in 1888 and developed by William Kennedy Laurie Dickson between 1889 and 1892. While not a true video projector, the Kinetoscope introduced the use of perforated film and a high-speed shutter, which became the basis of modern movie projectors. The Kinetoscope allowed viewers to watch movies through a window. In 1895, Edison later joined the technology with his cylinder phonograph to create the Kinetophone, which featured sound and moving picture.
Eidoloscope
In 1894 and 1895, Woodville Latham and his sons created the Eidoloscope. In May 1986, the Lathams presented a public showing of their video projection machine at Hammerstein's Olympia Music Hall. With an aspect ratio of 1.85, the Eidoloscope was perhaps the first widescreen format.
Phantoscope
In 1895, Charles Francis Jenkins and Thomas Armat demonstrated their film projection device, known as the Phantoscope, at the Cotton States Exposition. Jenkins filed to patent the Phantoscope on August 28, 1895.
Vitascope
Armat later sold the phantoscope to the Kinetoscope Company. However, as part of the sale, the invention was renamed the Vitascope and credit was given to Thomas Edison. On April 23, 1986, the Vitascope premiered at Koster and Bial's Music Hall in New York City. In November 1896, The Edison Company developed the Projectoscope and ceased marketing the Vitascope. The Edison Company continued to pioneer the cinema industry into the 20th century.
Tags: 19th century, Edison Company, Music Hall, Thomas Edison, video projector
