World’s First Drive-in Movie Theater (Aug, 1933)
Movie Theater Lets Cars Drive Right In
First of its kind in the world, an open-air movie theater exclusively for motorists has just been opened at Camden, N. J. Patrons drive in and park their cars in semicircular rows. Then, without leaving the vehicles, they enjoy talkies projected on a sixty-foot screen. Occupants of a car may chat or smoke without fear of disturbing others, since their car is for practical purposes a private theater box. A newly perfected system of directional sound projection make the talkies as plainly audible to the farthest as to the nearest of the 400 cars accommodated. Each row is inclined so that cars may use the rear part as an aisle without interrupting anyone’s view.
It’s such a new idea that they haven’t realized that they’re only utilizing 1/2 of their audience capacity – that will change very quickly.
And what’s this? No Snack Bar??? That will change, too!
Comment by SorcererMickey — March 21, 2007 @ 12:33 pm
I’m not sure which I like more: crazy failed ideas that they thought were huge, or now-common inventions like this that were new and strange then…
Comment by Kryten007 — March 21, 2007 @ 2:16 pm
Me neither. Luckily I don’t have to pick, I can just post both!
Comment by Charlie — March 21, 2007 @ 2:29 pm
The little humps that tilt the cars up, a higher screen, dancing snack bar treat ads, and the projector at the back of the lot will make the difference.
I like the crazy-failed myself- especially all the plans for downtown airports or flying wing airplanes.
Comment by Stannous — March 21, 2007 @ 4:12 pm
[...] Popular Science, 1933: World’s first drive-in movie theater. First of its kind in the world, an open-air movie theater exclusively for motorists has just been [...]
Pingback by Papa Mike’s Blog » Blog Archive » The First Drive-In Theater — March 21, 2007 @ 6:30 pm
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Pingback by Titus, 1999 — May 2, 2009 @ 7:20 pm
The good old days! Simpler time with less worries!!
Comment by John — September 28, 2011 @ 5:46 am