Date of Award

1973

Document Type

Thesis: Open Access

Degree Name

MA History

Department

History

Committee Chair

Professor Raymond S. Brandes, Chairman

Committee Member

Professor Iris H. Engstrand

Committee Member

Sister Catherine McShane, Ph.D.

Abstract

Siegmund Lubin came to the United States of America in 1867, and six years later, after various setbacks, established an optical business in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Experiments in his leisure time led him to a career in moving pictures. His success and accomplishments in the period of two decades were entangled in legal battles which resulted in his return to the optical business.

Mr. Lubin built several studios across the United States in a westward expansion. His studio in Coronado, California in 1915–16, with eastern controls, proved to have been typical of the western studio during the early motion picture days.

Mr. Lubin became the “King of the Motion Picture Industry,” but his involvement with the Motion Picture Patents Company made and lost him a great amount of money. He reportedly made over ten million dollars, but died a pauper. Nevertheless, he created outstanding original practices and innovations which improved the young motion picture business.

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