Library of Congress
Loc: The Spanish American War in Motion Pictures
A great web site about the first war that was ever filmed in motion pictures. Very complete collection on all aspects of the Spanish-American War.
![George Eastman House: Motion Picture Timeline [Pdf] Handout](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "George Eastman House: Motion Picture Timeline [Pdf] Handout")
George Eastman Museum
George Eastman House: Motion Picture Timeline [Pdf]
Follow the evolution of motion pictures and motion picture devices on this pictorial timeline.
Other
History and Discovery of Cinematography
Self-published textbook, by film historian Paul Burns, on the history of filmmaking. Covers pre-cinematic technologies and events and ends with the discovery of motion pictures in the late nineteenth century.
Smithsonian Institution
Lemelson Center: Tracing the Roots of America's Motion Picture Industry
In the late 1800's, Thomas Edison and his fellow inventors were key in the American film industry's boom.This web site provides a podcast and accompanying transcript tracing the roots of the film industry in America. Podcast [21:27]
Other
Media History Digital Library: Technical Journals Collection (1916 1965)
A large collection of original journals that focus on the technology behind motion pictures, covering cinematography, photography, projection engineering, etc.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Magic Lanterns, Magic Mirrors
Like fun house mirrors, motion pictures over the past one hundred years have reflected, challenged, influenced, and altered our visions of ourselves and the world in which we live. This virtual Exhibition was produced by the Photographic...
Other
Media History Digital Library: Early Cinema Collection (1855 1930)
A large collection of original trade papers and journals that focused on the early motion picture industry covering periods from 1894 to 1949.
Other
Media History Digital Library: Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Collection
A large collection of original magazines that document the evolution of the American broadcasting industry from 1896 to 1964, covering radio, television, and motion pictures.
American Movie Classics Company
The Film Site: Film History Before 1920
A storehouse of information about early film history, which discusses the development of the science and art behind motion picture technologies. Also looks at the how films were exhibited, the first feature-length films, early stars, fan...
The Franklin Institute
Franklin Institute Online: Motion Photography
Learn about the history of motion in photography. Eadweard Muybridge was very interested in photography and "had nothing to do but try" motion photography. Read his story here. Included are resources for the teacher and activities for...
Other
Media History Digital Library: Year Books (1916 1964)
A huge collection of original year books and annuals produced by the movie industry and covering the period from 1916 to 1964. These document the evolution of the motion picture industry. Sub-categories of the year books include film...
Other
Media History Digital Library: Non Theatrical Film Collection (1918 1973)
A large collection of original publications that focused on non-theatrical uses of motion pictures, including education, training, advertising, propaganda, and amateur clubs and individuals.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Eadweard Muybridge's Photography of Motion
From the National Museum of American History this is a description and analysis of the photography of expatriate Englishman Eadweard Muybridge. "Freeze Frame: Muybridge's Photography of Motion" iclude's examples of Muybridge's work...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: America's History in the Making:by the People, for the People
A great lesson plan that explores the attempts to revive the American economy after the Great Depression through the New Deal programs of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Included are a video, text and questions, and primary source materials. A...
Other
Museum of the Moving Image: Optical Room
Take a tour through the history of moving images from the earliest times into the mid-1910s. The tour begins with pre-cinema devices and practices, including shadow plays and optical toys, and covers film and photography pioneers and...
Other
High Tech Productions: History of Film & Television
High Tech Productions provides a timeline history of television. It starts at the invention of the motion picture camera and goes all the way through television's greatest moments.
George Eastman Museum
Animation: Illusion of Motion
Check out these moving picture devices that came before the cinema. Includes instructions on how to make your own.
Other
Media History Digital Library: Global Cinema Collection (1904 1957)
A large collection of original publications from other countries that focus on the film industry.
George Eastman Museum
George Eastman House: Create a Zoetrope
A zoetrope, or the "wheel of life," is an early way motion pictures were made. With these easy to follow directions you can create one of your very own using the printable templates.
Other
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh: Downtown: Nickelodeon
Along with a black and white picture of a nickelodeon, find a great description of the first one, located in Pittsburgh, and a history of the motion picture. From an article published in 1919.
George Eastman Museum
George Eastman House: Create a Phenakistoscope
Phenakistoscope. You may not be able to pronounce it, but with these easy to follow instructions you can make one. Have fun creating one of the earliest cinematography devices and watch your pictures come to life. Includes a printable...
George Eastman Museum
Eastmanhouse: Inventors in Imaging Technologies
See how George Eastman, Thomas Edison, and Wilhelm Roentgen impacted American film history and had inventions that were interrelated.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Edison After Forty
This online exhibition traces Edison's life, both personal and professional after he reached forty. Historic, primary materials are included.
Library of Congress
Loc: Vaudeville and Popular Entertainment 1870 1920
Presented by the Library of Congress, this site explores vaudeville and popular entertainment from 1870-1920. Included are many pictures of early theater playbills and programs, collection on Yiddish and Britishplayscripts, Houdini, and...