What may seem like cutting edge technology actually goes back to some of the earliest days of Television. As the old saying goes, there is nothing new in the world!
The public first got a look at 3D technology way back in 1922 with the release of “The Power of Love.” Just what they made of it has been long lost, whatever they thought it didn’t capture the publics imagination enough for 3D to become mainstream. It was enough however to start a curiosity in 3D film that has seen the technology crop up time and time again.
It was the 1950′s before 3D was to become big again. In fact B movies made during the 1950′s introduced audiences to the thought of 4D movies. Film makers were desperate to get people out of their houses and into the cinemas and the best way of doing this was to offer a unique experience. Some of the tricks they tried included installing vibrating plates in the audiences seats to mock the affect of an electric shock to the childish trick of sending a skeleton down a zip wire whilst the film was showing. I guess for audiences at the time the thought of donning a pair of red and green 3D glasses was considered mild.
In modern times several TV programs and movies have tried to capture the public’s imagination with 3D. Sky in the UK became the first broadcaster in the world to show a live sport event in full 3D (admittedly only to select number of pubs). Even to this very day most people are left feeling that 3D TV doesn’t feel like true 3D. Perhaps the R2-D2 projector in Star Wars has spoilt the idea of what 3D should be for us? The good news is that technology is advancing all the time and Avatar has broken new ground in bringing 3D to the general public. How long it will be before a film has to be made in 3D to be accepted is not known, I suspect it is some time off yet.
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