The Invention of Cinema

The Moving Image Source Research Guide is a gateway to the best online resources related to film, television, and digital media.

History and Styles > Eras > Film History > The Invention of Cinema

Early Visual Media: A Pictorial Media Archeology
This excellent resource consists of many different online exhibitions concerned with all kinds of visual media, beginning with pre-cinematic visual technology and amusements, through early television. In addition to the text, each exhibit features many unique illustrations and photographs.
Edison Papers
View scanned images of Edison's original papers, including his personal notes, correspondence, and more. Includes information on the invention of the kinetoscope and other moving image technology, as well as Edison's business records. Search the archive by author, title, or folder.
Thomas Edison Historical Site
Basic biographical information on Edison, plus a bibliography and links to his sound and film recordings. Users can also find out how to visit the site's archive and artifact collection and view a full list of Edison's 1,093 patents.
Thomas Edison Information from the Library of Congress
Includes biographical information about Thomas Edison and historical information about his breakthroughs in moving image and sound recording technology. Users can also view Edison's films.
Who's Who of Victorian Cinema
Biographies of actors and directors, as well as rigorously researched articles about the technology, creation, and exhibition of early film. The sources page also functions as a comprehensive annotated bibliography of the topic. Created by Luke McKernan, a British film historian.