Summary
The evolution of film sizes over the past century reflects a dynamic history of technological innovation and standardization in cinema. Initially, a wide variety of film widths and perforations were experimented with, leading to the establishment of 35mm as a standard, largely thanks to Thomas Edison's influence. This exploration includes the rise of amateur film sizes, the introduction of safety films, and the continuous adaptation of film dimensions to meet economic and aesthetic needs. The article covers unique formats like 28mm and 9.5mm, which carved niches in the film industry, and discusses the transition to safety film following catastrophic incidents. It also touches on the collector's passion for rare film equipment and formats.
Highlights:
- 35mm became the standard film size largely due to Edison's influence.
- Introduction of various amateur film sizes to cater to economic and portable filmmaking.
- Development and adoption of safety films following major cinema fires.
- Existence of unique and rare film formats that are now collectors' items.
- Continuous evolution of film sizes in response to technological advancements and market demands.
The journey through a century of film sizes reveals a landscape marked by experimentation and standardization. Initially, the film industry saw a plethora of formats, with Thomas Edison playing a crucial role in the establishment of 35mm as the standard by the early 20th century. This format, known as the Edison size, was derived from halving the then-common 70mm film used in still photography. The article highlights Edison's initial fascination with Eastman's 70mm film, leading to the creation of a narrower format suitable for the Kinetoscope, which laid foundational technologies for subsequent movie cameras and projectors.
As the film industry evolved, so did the variety of film sizes, particularly with the introduction of safety films in the early 1900s, catalyzed by tragic fires associated with the highly flammable nitrate film stocks. Safety films like cellulose acetate began to replace nitrate, reducing the fire hazards significantly. The mid-20th century saw the rise of amateur filmmaking, spurred by formats like 16mm and 8mm, which made film production more accessible to the public. These formats were economically attractive as they allowed for the use of less raw material and facilitated easier handling and processing.
Towards the latter part of the century, innovations continued with the introduction of formats like Super 8 and Super 16mm, which offered improved image quality and were more suited to television broadcasting and amateur filmmaking. The drive for wider acceptance saw formats like 9.5mm gain a cult following in Europe, despite not catching on in the U.S. The article concludes by discussing modern developments and the niche community of collectors passionate about preserving and using vintage film equipment and obscure film formats. It reflects on how these formats, though often superseded by newer technologies, represent important chapters in the history of cinema.