Edison Kinetoscope, Underwriters Model, 1912-1915

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Artifact Overview

The kinetoscope was originally a solitary experience. Visitors to "peepshow parlors" paid a nickel to peer into a wooden cabinet through an eyepiece to see a short film loop. But Edison and his competitors wanted to project films on screens for large audiences. The Vitascope, Projecting Kinetoscope, and Kinetophone are examples of Edison's experiments to turn film into a communal experience.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Kinetoscope

Date Made

1912-1915

Creator Notes

Manufactured by Thomas A. Edison, Inc., Orange, NJ, in cooperation with the Motion Picture Patents Company, based in New York City.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

29.460.38

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Thomas Alva Edison.

Material

Iron (Metal)
Copper (Metal)
Chrome Plated

Dimensions

Height: 14.5 in
Width: 9 in
Length: 11 in

Inscriptions

plaque: EDISON KINETOSCOPE / UNDERWRITERS MODEL / MADE BY / THOMAS A. EDISON, INC., ORANGE, N.J., U.S.A. / PATENTED / NO. 578,185 MARCH 2, 1897 [ . . . ] NO. 722,382 MARCH 10, 1903 [ . . . ] MOTION PICTURES PATENTS COMPANY / NEW YORK, N.Y., U.S.A. / THIS KINETOSCOPE IS LICENSED FOR USE AS PART OF AN EDISON KINETOPHONE / MANUFACTURED BY / THOMAS A. EDISON, INC., ORANGE, N.J., U.S.A. / Patent dates from 1898 to 1912/ EDISON KINETOSCOPE SERIAL NO. K196.
Edison Kinetoscope, Underwriters Model, 1912-1915