Movie Projector

Hello, I am a Movie Projector. You can think of me as a special magic lantern. Before I came along, pictures in your storybooks had to stay very, very still. But I have a special job. I make pictures look like they are wiggling, jumping, and dancing all across a big wall for everyone to see. I have a bright light inside of me, and I use it to make still pictures come alive. I changed the way we see stories forever.

I was created by two very clever brothers. Their names were Auguste and Louis Lumière, and they had a wonderful, bright idea. They wanted to take lots of pictures, one after another, and then show them super-duper fast. So, they built me with a warm, bright light inside my tummy. They also made a long ribbon of pictures that goes click-clack, click-clack as it moves past my light. When the pictures move so quickly, they look like they are really moving, just like you do when you run and play in the park.

My very first show was on a special day, December 28th, 1895. The room was dark and quiet, and everyone was waiting. I turned on my light and shone it on the wall. A big train appeared, and it looked like it was chugging right toward all the people. Choo-choo. Everyone was so surprised and happy. From that day on, I got to share amazing stories with the world. I love bringing people together to sit in the dark and laugh, smile, and dream together.