MCI wants to celebrate the first moving image camera today. Thomas Edison / William Dickson invented the Kinetograph camera, which was a camera that could take a series of photographs of something in motion. The photographs were then stored on a perforated film and allowed one viewer to see the moving image through a peep hole as it ran across a light – in other words, an early movie for one person.
The concept was initially Edison’s in 1888, but it was Edison’s employee, Dickson that made his concept reality. The first semi public presentation was in 1891, at the National Federation of Women’s Clubs. The first commercial exhibition took place only three years later. Needless to say, this was the dawn of the movie making industry.
Edison didn’t get a patent outside the US as he didn’t think that his invention would be commercially viable! Of course, copies were made of his machine and it soon became very popular. In 1895 Edison made sound to go with the Kinetograph with the not surprisingly named Kinetophone.
These days, we are used to taking movies with our phones, but imagine having to record your movies on something the size of a cupboard! Technology never ceases to fill us with wonder here at MCI and there is nothing better than to help keep our customer’s technology in tip top condition. Enjoy the weekend everyone!