Arizona republican., 1915-04-25
THE MOVING PICTURE INDUSTRY
 By Romaine Fielding

n S MONlNO f>lS OfE liNOO . n '
 By Romaine Fielding
 Before entering upon a brief synop- sis of the histors of llinematoSraphic art. It is necessary to dwell for a moment upon a certain physiological phenomenon, which. after uncertain ana irregular developments by var ious scientists and inventors, made the motion picture a practical pos sibility. This phenomenon is known as the continuity of persistence of human vision. To quote from the writing of the famoue French Pro lessor and Scientist, F.. J. Marcy, the retina of the eve has the physiologi- cal property of retaining for a brief time the impression of an image after the object which has produced the impression has disappeared. The duration of this retinal picture is es- timated at one-tenth of q second. the idea of discontinuity is lost and the image 1pears to be in continual evidence. If the image shown us is represented in successive positions assumed by the object in motion, the impression conN eyed by the eye is that of continuous movement with out intermission. If the photographs are presented to ohe eye at the samt intervals as separate and successive exposures. Ihe movement aVill ap- rear as if It actually took place. The existence of this phtnomenon was undoubtedly known to the ancients, as a Roman poet and naturalist who lived as far back as 99 to 65 E. C., speaks in his works of pictures which move before the eye so rapidly that the effect of motion k stimulated. From this ancient period on down thru a succession of ages, little ad- Vancement was made toward perfect ing the motion picture, until the year 1872, when the first important step was taken towards that end when Edward Nuybridse a photographer in the employ of the United States Government. completed d picture of a horse in motion. This, as well as other attempts, did not cause much interest to be centered in mo ton pictures. as they were at the best only experiments and far from satisfactory: and it was not until the introduction of celluIoid as d sub stituJe for glass that 1t became com parativeIy easy for long series of
 
 tinuoUs support. That was what really first called serious attention to motion pictures Each year now sees some important step in this industry and one can not help but view with amusement the enormous strides made by this popular form of amusement.
 A disrcssion-S gentlemen. Let me speak of the exhibitor and his thea tre one moment
 As the number of picture shows has increased, even to a greater ex- tent has the demand of the public increased for the best. and only tho best, class of entertainment This includes not only the best quality of pictures obtainable. but also ev- erything connected with the personal comfort of the patrons while in the theatre. A few figures in eNplapa- ton will not be out If place here. In the pioneer days of picture shows. the amount of capital required to embark in the busnsss was about S%00 The essential things to start a show then consisted of an ordinary canvas curtain, some kitchen chairs. | $125 projecting machine, and one reel of pictures. the latter costing about 8 d week Then it was as much for ;he novelty that people patronized these forerunners of a great Industry. The films quickly became worn and the pictures blurred and to spend even a few minutes iE hard bottomed straight back chair was hardly pleasant pastime IL is indeed mary elous to note the evolution of the past few years There are few photoplay houses built cost ing less than $S5.000 to S50,00O. many