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Today in History: Edison Secures Patent for Kinetoscope, Film Precursor

8/31/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On August 31, 1891, Thomas Edison received a U.S. patent for his Kinetoscope—a peephole viewer that projected a rapid sequence of perforated film frames over a light source, creating the illusion of motion. Developed by Edison’s assistant William Kennedy Laurie Dickson, the device laid the groundwork for later movie projectors.

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Story summary

On August 31, 1891, Thomas Edison received a U.S. patent for his Kinetoscope—a peephole viewer that projected a rapid sequence of perforated film frames over a light source, creating the illusion of motion. Developed by Edison’s assistant William Kennedy Laurie Dickson, the device laid the groundwork for later movie projectors.