KINEMA INVENTOR’S DEATH

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 244, 9 July 1921, Page 7

KINEMA INVENTOR’S DEATH

SEIZURE AT A FILM? MEETING. The man who invented the moving picture camera, Mr. AV. Friese Greene, died from heart failure almost directly alter making a speech at a meeting of tho kinema trade in London. Thus tragically was brought io an end a life of vicissitude and tragedy. But, like so manv men of genius, while other men. made huge fortunes out or lue brains, Ills life "was one of hardship amt struggle against adversity, says the London "Evening News.” It was in 1889 that he invented a camera for’ taking moving pictures on photographic glass plates. There was, however, no machine which would show a moving photograph, and after iurther experiments he produced the rolled ce - luloid film, and later the first lantern or projector which showed his pictures on. the screen. He lost 2120,000 in his experiments, and, becoming deeply involved in debt, ho was imprisoned for non-payment. IDs home and practically all his earliest appnratus were sold by order ol the sheriff. Advancing years saw him still in difficulties, and in December, 1915, so poor had ho become that Mt'. M ill U<ty» who visited him at Brighton, found nothing in tin: house. A temjKirarv relief fund was opened, and this tide I the inventor over his troubles, until he obtained a post with a. colour photograph company, which lie held, «t the time oi' his death. Mr. Greene was given a public funeral, and a "two minutes' silence” was observed in all London kinemas at the time of the interment at Highgate Cemetery.