From the Authors The silent era was one of the most fascinating times in human history. The introduction of the film industry had an unbelievable impact on society. To quote the Guinness Book of World Records: Few inventions have spread more rapidly than cinematography. By the end of 1896, a mere twelve months after the real start of commercial cinema in France, nearly all the major countries of the western world had witnessed their first demonstration of the new art. For the first time, silent films presented to the public a VISUAL version of news, travel, comedy, drama, and entertainment that had never been experienced before. And, since they were silent, it was presented as an international point of view with no language barriers. Cue cards could present any explanations needed. Immediately, movement, travelogues and factuals were the craze. But by 1902, people grew tired of this type of entertainment, so much so that films began to be used to clear the vaudeville halls at the end of the performances. Between the years 1902-1907, there was turmoil in the industry. As stories were beginning to be told and Georges Melies ignited the public imagination with his special effects and science fiction, the public clamored for more. Demand Everyone was trying to get into some form of this new exciting industry. Feeding this frenzy was the ability to quickly, easily and cheaply get into EXHIBITING films. Theaters were opening rapidly. This wasn’t just in the U. S., it was worldwide. For example, to supply the demand, there was an estimated 500 production companies formed in Italy between 1905 and 1910 alone. In 1908, Sears Roebuck and Co. released a catalogue selling moving picture equipment through Sears (see ads on next page). In every community, corner theaters were becoming common place.