Silent Film Sound Experiments and Early Synchronization Systems (1900-1927)

1. Gaumont patents the Chronophone system

   Jan 1, 1902Labels: L on, Chronophone

   • SilentEra
   • Chronophone

2. Messter patents the Biophon synchronization method

   Jan 1, 1903Labels: Oskar Messter, Biophon

   • T F Chapter
   • Biophon

3. Gaumont Phonoscènes begin commercial release

   Jan 1, 1905Labels: Gaumont, Phonosc nes

   • SilentEra
   • Chronophone

4. Chronophone exhibition expands in Paris venues

   Jan 1, 1911Labels: Chronophone, Paris theatres

   • Chronophone
   • CAPS

5. Tri-Ergon begins development of sound-on-film

   Jan 1, 1919Labels: Tri-Ergon, Josef Engl

   • Tri Ergon
   • Guinness

6. Dream Street tests Photokinema sound-on-disc

   May 2, 1921Labels: Dream Street, Photokinema

   • AFI Catalog
   • Photokinema

7. Tri-Ergon holds landmark public sound-film screening

   Sep 17, 1922Labels: Tri-Ergon, Alhambra Berlin

   • Tri Ergon
   • Guinness

8. De Forest premieres Phonofilm sound-on-film shorts

   Apr 15, 1923Labels: Lee de, Phonofilm

   • Phonofilm
   • A Musical Monologue

9. Warner Bros. acquires Western Electric sound system

   Apr 1, 1925Labels: Warner Bros, Vitaphone

   • Vitaphone
   • Don Juan AFI

10. Don Juan premieres with Vitaphone music and effects

    Aug 6, 1926Labels: Don Juan, Vitaphone

    • Don Juan
    • AFI Catalog

11. Fox Movietone captures Lindbergh takeoff with sound

    May 20, 1927Labels: Fox Movietone, Charles Lindbergh

    • Fox Archives
    • Sound film

12. Sunrise releases with Movietone score and effects

    Sep 23, 1927Labels: Sunrise, Movietone

    • Sound film
    • 7th Heaven

13. The Jazz Singer premieres, accelerating industry conversion

    Oct 6, 1927Labels: The Jazz, Vitaphone

    • Smithsonian
    • Jazz Singer
    • Vitaphone