Business History Edison and the Movie Murder Mystery (The Edison Story Part 3)
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Nov 26, 2025 Dive into the mysterious disappearance of filmmaker Louis Le Prince, who vanished in 1890 before showcasing his groundbreaking moving pictures. Was his rival Thomas Edison involved in foul play? The discussions reveal tales of simultaneous invention, legal battles, and the fascinating world of early cinema. Explore the murky waters of who truly deserves credit for the movies. The podcast also touches on Edison's business strategies, the rise of the motion picture industry, and theories surrounding Le Prince's fate.
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First Movie Filmed In A Backyard
- Louis Le Prince filmed Roundhay Garden Scene in October 1888, producing what is arguably the first movie ever made.
- The surviving clip is two seconds long but clearly reveals the future of moving pictures.
Invention Rarely Happens In Isolation
- Simultaneous invention was central to the development of movies; many teams raced publicly toward the same goal.
- Success depended as much on execution and timing as on the initial idea.
The Rotating Sunlit Studio
- William Kennedy Laurie Dixon built a studio optimized for sunlight with a hinged roof and a rotating base to follow the sun.
- Edison used this studio to produce short films like Washing the Baby and The Boxing Cats.
