In 1888, photographer
William Friese-Greene began experimenting with
celluloid. Prior to that, photographic materials often utilized glass plates. While paper with photographic chemicals was used, these proved unpopular compared to glass plates. However, celluloid, which had existed since the 1850s, began to receive traction upon the invention of flexible film, and was beginning to be viewed as an alternative to glass plates. Friese-Greene's experiments led to him inventing and patenting the chronophotographic camera in 1889. The camera utilized celluloid film, and with it could take ten photographs per second. Friese-Greene's experiments led him to take several photographs of Apsley Gate's surroundings near Hyde Park Corner, which were used for the film. Exactly when he took the photographs is disputed;
The Royal Parks and
Stuff About London claimed he did so in January 1889. However,
Science Museum Group states he took the photographs in October that same year. Regardless, the film was completed in 1889, and was first shown to a public audience at
Chester Town Hall in July 1890. While the film is not the first to ever be made, with
Louis Le Prince's
Roundhay Garden Scene being recorded in 1888, it is claimed to be the first celluloid film in existence as well as presenting the first moving pictures in London. Ultimately,
Hyde Park Corner was not positively received in 1890. Since flickering imagery can only be perceived by the human brain as one fluid moving frame from about 16 frames per second, the low 10 frames per second of the chronophotographic camera were deemed to be the cause of the underwhelming audience reaction. Additionally, some film historians dispute the time frame of the film's recording, claiming that these projections could not have been possible during this time period. == Survival ==