TIIE FIRST CINEMATOGRAPH.
It was not until 1890 that Mr. W. Friese Greene and Mr. M. Evans introduced what was practically the predecessor of the modern cinematograph. By a special camera they succeeded in obtaining a large number of negatives in rapid succession on a length of cel luloid film ; they also designed an arrangement for projection at the same rate of speed. In 1893 T. A. Edison reduced animated photography to a commercial success by producing the Kineto scope. A series of small photographs were taken on a length of perforated celluloid film, and from the negative so obtained was printed a positive, which was joined at the ends, suit ably illuminated by a small electric lamp, and viewed through a magnifying eyepiece. As the film was rapidly passed before the observer in a specially designed cabinet or stand, a slotted disc was revolved in front of it, allowing a fresh picture to be seen at each revolution. In
1893 M. Demeney patented his Chronophoto graphe, at first called the Biograph, a name afterwards withdrawn. Mr. Birt Acres, in 1895, was the next to introduce an improved form of camera and projection apparatus, with a special arrangement for stopping the film at each revolution of the shutter. Almost simulta neously, Messrs. A. and L. Lutniere, of Paris, crave the first demonstration of their now well known Cinematograph. In 1896 Mr. it. W. Paul patented his Animatograph, at first known as the Theatrograph. These may be called the pioneers of animated photography. Of late years many advances have been made in the construction of apparatus, and numerous taking and projection devices have been placed on the market. A fuller description of the more important of these will be given later.