Thomas A. Edison
Early Edison Camera Tests
Experimental test footage from Edison’s earliest motion picture work, capturing camera tri…
1893
Blacksmithing Scene
Three men hammer on an anvil and pass a bottle of beer around. Notable for being the first…
1894
Annie Oakley
A short Edison Black Maria studio film featuring famed sharpshooter Annie Oakley, known as…
1894
Corbett and Courtney Before the Kinetograph
James J. Corbett and Peter Courtney meet in a boxing exhibition.
1894
Imperial Japanese Dance
A graceful performance of the Mikado dance, featuring three Japanese women in elaborate tr…
1894
Indian War Council
This 1894 film depicts a staged “war council” featuring a group of Sioux men in traditiona…
1894
Sioux Ghost Dance
From Edison films catalog: One of the most peculiar customs of the Sioux Tribe is here sho…
1895
The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots
A short film depicting the execution of Mary, Queen of the Scots. Mary is brought to the e…
American Falls, from Incline R.R.
American Falls, from Incline R.R. (1896) is a brief silent actuality directed by James H.…
1896
Cock Fight
Two cocks fight whilst being watched by two men.
1896
Fatima's Coochee-Coochee Dance
The dancer Fatima, well-known for her dancing shows at the World's Exhibition in 1893, per…
Starting for the Fire
Starting for the Fire (1896), directed by James H. White for the Edison Manufacturing Comp…
1897
Admiral Cigarette
Late 1800s cigarette advertisement produced by Thomas Edison Manufacturing.
1897
Capsize of Lifeboat
Daily practice of life boat crew, showing boat being upset purposely by the men. As these…
1897
Launch of Life Boat
This Edison short delivers everything the title says. In 24-seconds we see a boat being lo…
1897
Launch of Surf Boat
The crew of seven dressed in cork jackets, push the boat through the surf; they clamber in…
1897
Mr. Edison at Work in His Chemical Laboratory
“This film is remarkable in several respects. In the first place, it is full life-size. Se…
Pillow Fight
“A comic subject, clear, bright and characteristic. Shows four girls in their night dresse…
Rescue - Resuscitation
A line is shot to the man clinging to the overturned boat. He fastens it to his body using…
1897
Serpentine Dance - Annabelle
1897 version of Annabelle Moore performing a serpentine dance.
Alciede Capitane
A showcase of trapeze artist Alciede Capitaine, billed as “The Perfect Woman,” whose darin…
1898
Parade of Marines, U.S. Cruiser, 'Brooklyn'
A short documentary capturing the officers and crew of the USS Brooklyn during a naval par…
1898
The Passion Play of Oberammergau
The Passion Play of Oberammergau (1898) presents scenes from the famed Bavarian passion pl…
1899
2nd Special Service Battalion, Canadian Infantry, Parade and Embarkation
This film captures the departure of the 2nd Special Service Battalion, Canadian Infantry,…
1899
Bicycle Trick Riding, No. 2
This Edison short features famed cyclist Neidert performing a series of impressive bicycle…
1899
General Lee's Procession, Havana
Filmed on January 1, 1899, this Edison short shows a victory march by General Lee and the…
1899
New York Police Parade, June 1st, 1899
An excellent view of 'The Finest,' on their annual parade and inspection, June 1, 1899. Th…
1901
Pan-American Exposition by Night
A great feature of the Pan-American Exposition, as unanimously conceded by all visitors, w…
1901
President McKinley Taking the Oath
Filmed at the second inauguration of William McKinley on March 4, 1901, this short capture…
1901
The Trick Cyclist
A comic short in which a tramp attempts to ride a bicycle, tumbling repeatedly before givi…
1902
Arrival of the Governor General, Lord Minto, at Quebec
This film records the arrival of the Governor General of Canada, the Earl of Minto, accomp…
1902
Skiing Scene in Quebec
This short captures the thrill of winter sport in Canada, showing skiers racing downhill a…
1903
A Jewish Dance at Jerusalem
A group of Jewish men in Ottoman Jerusalem perform a dance.
1903
Chicago-Michigan Football Game
Footage of the 1903 football game between the University of Chicago and the University of…
1903
Electrocuting an Elephant
Film depicting the killing of the elephant Topsy by electrocution at a Coney Island amusem…
1903
Skyscrapers of New York City, from the North River
A beautiful panoramic view of lower New York from Barclay Street to Battery Park, showing…