Other
History and Discovery of Cinematography
Self-published textbook, by film historian Paul Burns, on the history of filmmaking. Covers pre-cinematic technologies and events and ends with the discovery of motion pictures in the late nineteenth century.
Other
Museum of the Moving Image: Optical Room
Take a tour through the history of moving images from the earliest times into the mid-1910s. The tour begins with pre-cinema devices and practices, including shadow plays and optical toys, and covers film and photography pioneers and...
George Eastman Museum
Eastmanhouse: Inventors in Imaging Technologies
See how George Eastman, Thomas Edison, and Wilhelm Roentgen impacted American film history and had inventions that were interrelated.
George Eastman Museum
Discovering the George Eastman in Me the Legacy
There is much to gain from looking at the life of George Eastman. These guided activities will help you and your students come to know the man he was and appreciate him and many others who have impacted our world.
The Franklin Institute
Daguerreotype Cameras
Read about the Daguerreotype camera. This particular apparatus on display at the Franklin Institute was made in 1839, by Joaquim Bishop. Included on this site are activities for the classroom and resources for students to explore.
PBS
Who Made America?: George Eastman
A quick "snapshot" at the life and worldly contributions of George Eastman. See why he was chosen as one of America's great innovators and better understand how his photography processes transformed our society.
George Eastman Museum
George Eastman House: How to Make a Camera Obscura [Pdf]
Resource provides history and background information about the camera obscura. There are also easy to follow instructions for you to make your own version of the camera obscura to better understand the history and technology behind...