The Zoetrope was invented in 1833. At that time films were but a parlor trick.
Following it’s invention dozens of toys using the same model sprung up all around England. Like the Daedaleum, Thaumatrope, Stroboscope, Kaleidorama and the Phenakistocope. These are seen as some of the first attempts at animation.
Before Edison’s Kinetoscope was developed in 1888, a leap forward for film was being made by Doctor Coleman Sellers II who invented the The Kinematoscope and patented it in 1861. It was the first machine to give illusion of real people moving.
“My invention consists in substituting rapidly and without confusion to the eye, not only of an individual, but when desired to a whole assemblage, the enlarged images of a great number of pictures taken simultaneously and successively at very short intervals. The observer will believe that he sees only one image, which gradually changes by reason of the successive changes of form and position of the object which occur from one picture to the next. Even supposing there be a slight interval of time during which the same object was not shown, the persistence of the luminous impression upon the eye will fill the gap. By means of my apparatus I am enabled especially to reproduce the passing of a procession, a review of military maneuvers, and, if so desired, the grimaces of a human face.” – From How Motion Pictures are Made by Homer Croy
If Doctor Sellers had a greater vision for the use of his Kinematoscope his contributions to the technology of motion pictures could have been astounding.
A common quote by Arthur Schopenhauer states;
“All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.”
Schopenhauer talked about society. Sadly we artists, filmmakers, writers and inventors often do this to our own. Crippling the growth of our ideas before they even begin to fully blossom.
Fun writing challenges we take on, the doodles we make, the screenplay we jotted down and the project we’re tinkering with in the garage are worth more than we think. Our craziest ideas are sometimes our best and the things we create for fun, those will inevitably lead us to success.
Creative vision is like a fire we have to keep from burning out. Kindle it with swimming, hiking, meditation, music, painting and anything that de-stresses and fuels your right brain magic. Then get right back to work in your writer’s chair or editing bay.
“Nothing could be worse than the fear that one had given up too soon, and left one unexpended effort that might have saved the world.” – Jane Addams