Magic Shadows: The Story of the Origin of Motion Pictures by Martin Quigley
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"Magic Shadows: The Story of the Origin of Motion Pictures" by Martin Quigley is a historical account written in the late 20th century. This book chronicles the evolution of motion picture technology, tracing its development from ancient optical experiments to the modern cinematic experience. It examines the significant figures and innovations that contributed to the creation of moving images, invoking a deep appreciation for the formative processes behind the films that shaped
popular culture. The opening of this work sets the stage for a profound exploration of the historical origins of motion pictures. It begins with a foreword that emphasizes the general public's limited understanding of the motion picture's history and highlights the lack of recognition for the many pioneers involved in its development. The introduction focuses on Athanasius Kircher, whose invention of the magic lantern in the 17th century became a catalyst for future motion picture technology. Quigley recounts Kircher’s early demonstrations, which combined a blend of science and showmanship, engaging audiences with light and shadow before paving the way for the more complex innovations that would follow. The narrative invites readers to understand and appreciate the rich tapestry of discoveries and the integral historical journey leading to the films we watch today. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Quigley, Martin, 1917-2011 |
|---|---|
| Author of introduction, etc. | Curtis, Edward Peck, 1897-1987 |
| LoC No. | 60014797 |
| Title | Magic Shadows: The Story of the Origin of Motion Pictures |
| Contents | Foreword -- Introduction -- It started with "A" -- Friar Bacon's magic -- Da Vinci's camera -- Porta, first screen showman -- Kepler and the stars -- Kircher's 100th art -- Popularizing Kircher's projector -- Musschenbroek and motion -- Phantasmagoria -- Dr. Paris' toy -- Plateau creates motion pictures -- The baron's projector -- The Langenheims of Philadelphia -- Marey and movement -- Edison's peep-show -- First steps -- World premieres -- Appendix I: Chronology -- Appendix II: Bibliography. |
| Credits | Tim Lindell, Charlie Howard, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from images made available by the HathiTrust Digital Library.) |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 61.2 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | TR: Technology: Photography |
| Subject | Lantern projection |
| Subject | Motion pictures -- History |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 64578 |
| ISBN (HTML) | 979-8-238-64578-0 |
| Release Date | Feb 16, 2021 |
| Last Update | Oct 18, 2024 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 985 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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