Overview
This lecture covers the development of motion picture technology, highlighting key inventions and contributors that enabled the transition from static images to moving film.
Persistence of Vision
- Persistence of vision is the phenomenon where the eye retains an image briefly after the object disappears.
- This phenomenon helps us perceive a sequence of still frames as continuous motion in film and video.
Early Optical Devices
- Leonardo da Vinci described the camera obscura, an optical device that projects images onto a screen.
- Da Vinci's "trato de Laura" contains his desire for painting to capture life.
- In 1515, da Vinci drew an early image projector concept, the magic lantern, later developed in the 17th century.
Early Motion Devices
- In 1832, Joseph Plateau invented the phenakistoscope, which used spinning discs to create the illusion of movement.
- William George Horner introduced the zoetrope, using a rotating drum to produce moving images.
- In 1877, Emil Reynaud developed the praxinoscope, which used mirrors to enhance the illusion of movement.
Advancements in Motion Photography
- In 1872, Leland Stanford and photographer Eadweard Muybridge used sequential photography to prove a horse lifts all its feet when galloping.
- Muybridge developed the zoopraxiscope to project sequences of images creating the motion illusion.
Invention of Film and Projectors
- Thomas Edison and William Dickson developed early motion picture devices, including the mutoscope and kinetoscope.
- George Eastman invented flexible photographic film in 1888, enabling easier capture and display of motion pictures.
- The kinetoscope used a continuous film loop but only one viewer could watch at a time.
- Thomas Armat invented a projector that could display moving images to an audience.
The Lumière Brothers and Cinematography
- The Lumière brothers, Louis and Auguste, created the cinematograph, which functioned as both a camera and projector.
- The cinematograph used 35mm film strips and shot at 16 frames per second, becoming the standard for years.
- "Arrival of a Train" was the first motion picture shown to a large audience, causing a strong reaction.
Who Invented Film?
- George Eastman invented flexible photographic film.
- The development of motion pictures was a collaborative effort, combining innovations from multiple inventors.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Persistence of Vision — Eye’s ability to retain images briefly after the original image disappears.
- Camera Obscura — Optical device projecting external images onto a screen.
- Phenakistoscope — Early animation device creating motion illusion using spinning discs.
- Zoetrope — Drum-based animation device using slits to view moving images.
- Praxinoscope — Device using mirrors for smoother motion illusion than the zoetrope.
- Kinetoscope — Early film viewer using a film loop for a single audience member.
- Cinematograph — Device combining a camera and projector, using 35mm film.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review key inventors and their contributions to motion pictures.
- Read more about the Lumière brothers and early film screenings.