Thomas Edison's Kineto-phonograph
This article from a June 1894 edition of Century Magazine describes the invention of the kineto-phonograph. Thomas Edison wrote "the idea occured to me that it was possible to devise an instrument that should do for the eye what the phonograph does for the ear, and that by a combination of the two, all motion and sound could be recorded and reproduced simultaneously." Illustrations for the article were created by EJ Meeker. The video was re-created by his great-grandson, Rick Glasby.
"The synchronous attachment of photography with the phonograph was early contemplated by Mr. Edison, in order to record and give back the impressions to the eye as well as to the ear. The comprehensive term for this invention is the kineto-phonograph. The dual "taking machine" is the phono-kinetograph, and the reproducing-machine the phono-kinetoscope, in contradistinction to the kinetograph and the kinetoscope, which relate respectively to the taking and reproduction of movable but soundless objects."
Edison’s Kinetophonograph. It linked photographic impressions with the phonograph in one combination: “It’s possibilities are almost inexhaustible.”
"The process of “taking” is variously performed: by artificial light in the photographic department, or by daylight under the improved conditions of the new theater, of which we shall speak. The actors, when more than one in number, are kept as close together as possible, and exposed to either the glare of the sun, or to the blinding light of four parabolic magnesium lamps equal to about 50,000 candle power."
Edison Kinetographic Theatre at Orange, NJ. Exterior view, showing how the entire building may be rotated to make best use of light.
"The exigencies of natural lighting incident to the better “taking” of the subjects, necessitated the construction of a special building, which is of so peculiar of appearance as to challenge the attention of the most superficial observer. Its shape is an irregular oblong, rising abruptly in the center, at which point a movable roof is attached. Its color is a grim and forbidding black. With its flapping sail-like roof and ebon hue, it has a weird appearance, and the uncanny effect is not lessened, when the great building slowly swings around presenting any given angle to the rays of the sun. This building is known as the Kinetographic Theater, otherwise the “Black Maria.”"