History of Film stock in Timeline
Film stock is a photographic film used for recording motion pictures and animations. It is exposed in a movie camera, then developed, edited, and ultimately projected onto a screen using a movie projector, enabling the viewing of recorded moving images.
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1900: Film formats gradually became standardized
Between 1900 and 1910, there was a gradual standardization of film formats and improvements in film stocks as the quantity of film and filmmakers grew.
1907: Blair sold his English company to Pathé
In 1907, Blair sold his English company to Pathé and retired to the US.
1908: Bell and Howell began making perforators
In 1908, Bell and Howell began manufacturing perforators, which Eastman Kodak then used to perforate its films.
1908: Practical color film became commercially viable
In 1908, practical color film became commercially viable, even though experiments with color films had been occurring since the late 19th century.
1909: Cellulose diacetate shown as viable replacement base
In 1909, tests revealed cellulose diacetate as a viable replacement film base, and Eastman Kodak introduced a non-flammable 35 mm film stock.
1909: Motion Picture Patents Trust agreed to standard format
In 1909, the Motion Picture Patents Trust, organized by Edison, agreed on a standard film format: 35 mm gauge with Edison perforations and a 1.33 aspect ratio.
1910: Pathé began stripping and re-coating film
In 1910, Pathé began supplementing its operations by purchasing film prints, stripping the emulsion from the film base, and re-coating it.
1911: Major American film studios returned to using nitrate stock
In 1911, major American film studios reverted to using nitrate stock due to issues with the acetate-based film's durability.
1912: Home Kinetoscope released
In 1912, Eastman Kodak commercially released the Home Kinetoscope, using 22mm acetate-base film.
1913: Agfa began to produce motion picture film
In 1913, Agfa started producing motion picture film, initially serving as a local supplier until WWI boycotts boosted their orders.
1913: Panchromatic film created for color processes
In 1913, Panchromatic film was created for use in early color film processes such as Kinemacolor.
1914: Kinemacolor active between 1908-1914
Kinemacolor used between 1908 and 1914 used monochrome film stock sensitized to certain primary colors or exposed behind color filters in special cameras.
1916: Separate "Cine Type" films offered
In 1916, Eastman offered separate "Cine Type" films, distinguishing them from general photographic film stock, marking a specialization in motion picture film production.
1916: Kodak released Cine Negative Film Type E
In 1916, Kodak released Cine Negative Film Type E, improving granularity and sharpness compared to previous offerings.
1917: Kodak released Cine Negative Film Type F
In 1917, Kodak released Cine Negative Film Type F (later known as Negative Film Par Speed Type 1201), an orthochromatic film offering improvements in granularity and sharpness.
1917: Technicolor processes 1 through 4 active
Technicolor processes 1 through 4 active between 1917 and 1954 used one, two or three strips of monochrome film stock sensitized to certain primary colors or exposed behind color filters in special cameras.
1918: Panchromatic film first used in a black-and-white film
In 1918, panchromatic film was first used in a black-and-white film for exterior sequences in Queen of the Sea and was initially available as a special order product.
1920: Introduction of X-back film
In 1920, a variant of Type F film known as X-back was introduced to counteract the effects of static electricity on the film.
1922: The Headless Horseman shot entirely with panchromatic stock
In 1922, Kodak financed a feature, The Headless Horseman, shot entirely with panchromatic stock, to promote the film when Kodak introduced it as a standard option.
1925: Belgian Gevaert established
In 1925, Belgian Gevaert was established as a film stock manufacturer.
1925: Gevaert introduced Pan-23
In 1925, Gevaert introduced an orthochromatic stock with limited color sensitivity and a fully panchromatic stock called Pan-23.
1926: E.I. Dupont de Nemours established
In 1926, American E.I. Dupont de Nemours was established as a film stock manufacturer.
1926: Kodak lowered the price of panchromatic stock
In 1926, Kodak lowered the price of its panchromatic stock to match its orthochromatic offering, starting a shift in market share.
1928: Shift to panchromatic stocks largely complete
By 1928, the shift to panchromatic film stocks was largely complete due to similar offerings from Agfa and Pathé.
1930: Kodak discontinued orthochromatic stock
In 1930, Kodak discontinued its orthochromatic stock, marking the end of its availability.
1935: Kodak introduced Kodachrome for 16 mm
In 1935, Kodak introduced Kodachrome for 16 mm film, making color film commercially viable for amateur use.
1936: Kodak introduced Kodachrome for 8 mm
In 1936, Kodak introduced Kodachrome for 8 mm film.
1941: Technicolor introduced Monopack
In 1941, Technicolor introduced a color reversal stock called Monopack, a 35 mm version of Kodachrome for standard motion picture cameras.
1950: Eastman Color Negative film 5247 introduced
In 1950, Eastman Kodak introduced their first 35mm color negative stock, Eastman Color Negative film 5247.
1951: Kodak discontinued the manufacture of nitrate base
In 1951, Kodak discontinued the manufacture of nitrate base film, and the industry transitioned entirely to safety film in the United States.
1952: Eastman Color Negative film 5248 adopted by Hollywood
In 1952, Eastman Kodak introduced Eastman Color Negative film 5248. This higher quality version was quickly adopted by Hollywood.
1954: Technicolor processes 1 through 4 active until 1954
Technicolor processes 1 through 4 active between 1917 and 1954 used one, two or three strips of monochrome film stock sensitized to certain primary colors or exposed behind color filters in special cameras.
1955: Transition to safety film completed internationally
By 1955, the film industry had transitioned entirely to safety film internationally.
2000: Film Lengths
In the year 2000, common film lengths include 25 feet for 8 mm, 50 feet for Super 8, 100 and 400 feet for 16 mm, 400 and 1000 feet for 35 mm, and 1000 for 65/70 mm.
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