Kinetoscope

The Kinetoscope was a motion picture projector invented in 1888. It came from the Greek word "kineto" meaning "movement" and "scopos" meaning "to watch." It was invented in the Edison Laboratory headed by Thomas Edison. However, William Kennedy Laurie Dickson, Edisons assistant, was given the task of inventing the device in June 1889, possibly because of his background as a photographer. Kinetoscope was really controversial because of the role and contribution of Edison in the invention. It was Thomas Edisons idea and he initiated the experiment but Dickson is given the credit for turning the idea into reality. Kinetoscope was one of the first devices that allow people to view motion pictures. The invention led to other related inventions. It motivated other inventors to develop the filming industry. Kinetoscope introduced the basic approach that would become the standard for all cinematic projection before the advent of video. Relating to cinematic, in it, a strip of film was passed rapidly between a lens and an electric light bulb while the viewer peered through a peephole. Behind the peephole was a spinning wheel with a narrow slit that acted as a shutter, permitting a momentary view of each of the 46 frames passing in front of the shutter every second. The result was a lifelike representation of persons and objects in motion.