In Focus: Machines of Memory

On August 5, 2021, the George Eastman Museum was awarded a major grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to support the project Machines of Memory: Cataloging and Digitizing the Cinematographic Equipment Collection. The collection consists of more than 1,400 objects that trace the invention, development and advancement of motion picture technology.
This virtual talk via Zoom will highlight the historically significant items from the collection, such as Edison Kinetoscope of 1894 (the world’s first 35mm motion picture viewer), the Lumière Cinématographe of 1895 (the world’s first 35mm motion picture camera and projector system), the Gaumont Elgéphone of 1906 (the world’s first 35mm sound synchronized motion picture projector), the Ciné Kodak (the world’s first 16mm motion picture system), and the Technicolor three strip motion picture camera from 1932.

[@rainscratch]

Fascinating presentation, thank you. I filmed many of my movies on a Canon 1014e with good old Kodachrome Super 8mm. Used to travel to Europe with half a suit case full of film cartridges and then took them all to my local massive Kodak complex in Coburg Australia to get them developed, picked up the next day.

[@frederick3467]

nice talk, many thanks

[@rainscratch]

13:40 The basic mechanism for cameras and projectors the intermittent movement, and shutter - one of the few technologies that remained basically unchanged throughout the glorious history of film - over 120 years.

[@s.w.2779]

No, Mr. Gustafson. The cinématographe Lumière has a film perforation pitch of 20 mm and the image size is NOT standard. It’s 20 by 25 mm. If your example differs, it was modified.

[@rainscratch]

In my collection I have many cameras, projectors of all descriptions, including a Vinten 35mm Normandy camera (still works) and a curious prototype vertical 35mm movie camera that seems to be from the late 1800s - made of wood with a pull down mechanism I've not seen in anything else. How can I submit some photos for your evaluation and possibly I can donate to the museum?

[@michelp.vanwelkenhuyzen2623]

Perfectly boring !