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Writing a complete and accurate article on three-dimensional (3-D) motion pictures is little easier than writing about the invention of the wheel; who did what first and when? This is compounded by the fact that, during a recent patent search on 3-D motion picture systems, I found about 20 more or less workable designs of which only a few were ever exploited. Finally, I have found that few of the 3-D pioneers still living have any accurate, let alone unbiased, information available.
With all of this against me, I obviously cannot guarantee the absolute accuracy of my information. What I have done is indicate references where needed and when available.
SYSTEM CATEGORIES
Stereoscopy has as long a history as most any branch of "modern" science and, for lack of space in this article, I suggest those unfamiliar with the principles of depth perception make a point of reading "A 3-D Primer" elsewhere in this issue.
As of the writing of this article, one basic law still applies to 3-D: objects in a given scene must exhibit a spatial differential to one another with regard to a given viewpoint. If said objects do not, they are 2-Dimensional or flat. The 3-D effect attributed to bigscreen systems (i.e., Cinerama) is actually a panoramic or peripheral illusion. Literally hundreds of so-called "3-D" systems are nothing more than big-screen displays. We are presently concerned, therefore, with systems that display spatial differentials.
Experimentation to add depth to pictures actually predates cinema. According to a very well researched thesis by H. Mark Gosser (Selected Attempts at Stereoscopic Motion Pictures and Their Relationship to the Development of Motion Picture Technology, 1852-1903 /1977, Arno Press), there is more than circumstantial evidence that motion pictures may be the result of 3-D research! Stereo photography (still) was very common prior to cinema. When stereo photographers looked at the old stereograms, two things came to mind: color and movement. It's easy to see how 3-D could "require" motion before flat photography would. It's an interesting observation.
Methods of achieving depth can presently be slotted into six basic categories: 1) Stereoscope, 2) Anaglyph, 3) Polarized, 4) Raster (grid or lenticular), 5) Alternating View, and 6) Holography.
The simplest and most (ikely first 3-D system projected two...