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.
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...
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]
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
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.
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...
Other
Mas De Cien Anos De Cine Mexicano
Learn about the important films, actors, directors, and unforgettable moments of Mexican cinema from its first days. Browse by topic, via the timeline, or jump to an alphabetical listing. Some topics are quite extensively covered; others...
George Eastman Museum
George Eastman House: Create a Thaumatrope
Simple but amazing! Learn how to make a thaumatrope, one of the earliest forms of cinematography. Watch as two images become one right before your eyes.
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: Art of the Stamp: Eadweard Muybridge
View the artwork for a U.S. postage stamp issued in 1996 to commemorate Eadweard Muybridge, the first to create the illusion of moving pictures. With a short biographical passage.
Library of Congress
Loc: Origins of American Animation
An amazing collection of 21 animated films which spans the years 1900 to 1921. The films include clay, puppet, cut-out animation, as well as pen drawings, and early silent films.
Other
National Film Preservation Foundation: Home
Website of the National Film Preservation Foundation, with links to resources, images, and videos.
Rudiments of Wisdom
Rudiments of Wisdom Encyclopaedia: Cinematography
Learn some fun facts about cinematography from this encyclopaedia entry drawn in comic-book style.
Curated OER
Smithsonian: 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...
Curated OER
Smithsonian: 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...