Below is a timeline for every notable event in the history of movies in the home (with more being added). It should be noted that this website uses the term, “Home Video,” in two different ways. Firstly, it uses it as an umbrella term for the viewing of movies in the home, physical or otherwise. Secondly, its also the label given to the era in time where movies are being released on physical video formats.
1916
New Premier Pathescope
Unable to receive further stock of the Kok projector due to the first World War, Pathescope Company of America redesigned the French projector into the “New Premier Pathescope.”
1917
Victor Animatograph Corporation
Victor launches their own version of a 28mm projector to the American market.
1917
Kodak Plans for a 16mm Standard
Competing projector manufacturers, Bell & Howell and Victor Animatograph Corp, agree to Kodak’s plans for a 16mm standard intended for non-theatrical or amateur use.
1921
The Spirograph
First patented in 1907 and finally manufactured in 1921 by Charles Urban, the device spun a 10.5” film disc either by hand crank or an electric motor, which then produced a moving image viewable through an attached eyepiece. It is the first motion picture home media on a disc.
1922
Pathé Baby / 9.5 mm
A line of amateur 9.5mm cameras and projectors. The 9.5mm film format became a popular printed film format in Europe.
June, 1923
Kodascope / 16 mm
Kodak launched their 16 mm format and their first 16 mm projector, the Kodascope. The format is intended solely for non-theatrical and amateur use. Victor and Bell & Howell also their own 16 mm projectors the following year.
1924
Kodascope Library
The Kodascope Library is established to offer 16mm (and later 8mm) printed films for rent. Lasts until 1939.
1927 (New York Times, 1927/05/27, p. 29)
Kodak Cinegraphs
Kodak launches a line of printed 16mm films intended for sale to the public.
1927 (Billboard, 1927/11/12, p. 36)
Pathegram Home Movies
Billboard announced that “Pathé has pictures ready for home use.” They’re short 16mm subjects, which they called Pathegrams. These early films are mostly educational with a few Hal Roach comedies.
February 8th, 1928
Baird Makes the First Transatlantic Television Broadcast
Inventor John Logie Baird’s company, Baird Television Development Company of London, performed the first transatlantic television broadcast from London to New York. The distorted transmission was of a man and woman turning their heads.
September, 1928 (Western Mail, 1928/06/22, p. 15)
Baird Model A/B/C
First mechanical televisions made available for sale. Sold at the annual Radio Exhibition of 1928.Invented by John Logie Baird.
1930
Baird Televisor
First mass-produced mechanical television.
1932
8 mm Film
Kodak launches 8mm film, intended for amateur use.
March 30th, 1933 (Los Angeles Evening Post-Record, 1933/03/25, p. 6)
The “Crooked Circle” Airs on Television
The experimental station, W6XAO, airs The Crooked Circle (1932) to the few television owners in the Los Angeles Area. This is the very first time that a full-length movie is shown on television.
1934
Hollywood Film Enterprises Licenses Disney Titles
Established in the early early 1930s as a film developer and home movies distributor, HFE licenses Walt Disney short cartoons in 1934 to be sold on the home market.
1936
Cossor 137T
The Cossor 137T is among the very first electronic TV sets commercially produced. Introduced to the UK.
1937
Pathegrams are Revived and “Hindenburg Explodes!” Is an Instant Hit
Film editor and distributor, Eugene Castle, revives Pathe’s Pathegram line of home movies. The first release, Hindenburg Explodes!, is a huge success, taking in a reported $40,000-$50,000 (nearly $1 million today) in the first few days.
1937
Castle Films Announces Home Movies
Shortly after his success with the revived Pathegram line, Eugene Castle splits with Pathe and creates a home movies division at his distribution company, Castle Films.
1939
Official Films
Official Films is formed by producer Leslie Winik to distribute home movies.
July 13th, 1940 (Billboard, 1940/07/20, p. 68)
The Panoram is Demonstrated
The Mill’s Novelty Company demonstrates the Panoram at the National Education Association Convention. It is a coin-operated jukebox that projects 16mm music performances (called “soundies”) on a TV-like screen. They were launched commercially the following year.