Historical Paper: The Origins of 35mm Film as a Standard

The origins of 35mm film as a production and exhibition standard and the 4:3 image aspect ratio are examined. W. K. L. Dickson's work for Thomas Edison is reviewed in terms of the economic and aesthetic factors that influenced the selection of 35mm film as the ideal gauge for use in the Kinetoscope. The introduction of other wider gauges by Edison's rivals during the transformation of motion-picture exhibition from peep show to projection are also traced, suggesting several reasons for the industry-wide adoption of Edison's standards in the first decade of this century.