The Nickelodeon
A Nickelodeon was the first kind of indoor space to show films to the public. They were extremely popular from 1905-1915, costing only a nickel for admission, thereby coining the name. Prior to this, films were shown at vaudeville houses or peep shows. Their patrons were usually working class americans who couldn't afford the high ticket price of a broadway show. It was in this way that film was brought to all manner of Americans at the time. Many of the first nickelodeon movie theaters were cramped and dingy, with uncomfortable seats. As films became longer and more sophisticated, the Nickelodeons became more comfortable.
The profit made from Nickelodeons was one of the reasons the film industry boomed the way it did. It sparked the film exchange, or process of renting out films for exhibition. With the constant flow of films, vendors could make more of a continuous profit selling only films. The rise of the Nickelodeons helped propel the industry's popularity, and helped develop the movie theaters we see today.
The profit made from Nickelodeons was one of the reasons the film industry boomed the way it did. It sparked the film exchange, or process of renting out films for exhibition. With the constant flow of films, vendors could make more of a continuous profit selling only films. The rise of the Nickelodeons helped propel the industry's popularity, and helped develop the movie theaters we see today.