Auguste Lumière

Auguste Marie Louis Nicolas Lumière (19 October 1862 – 10 April 1954)[1] was a French engineer, industrialist, biologist, and illusionist. During 1894–1895, he and his brother Louis invented an animated photographic camera and projection device, the cinematograph, which met with worldwide success.

Auguste Lumière
Born
Auguste Marie Louis Nicolas Lumière

19 October 1862 (1862-10-19)
Besançon, France
DiedApril 10, 1954(1954-04-10) (aged 91)
Lyon, France
OccupationEngineer
RelativesLouis Lumière (brother)
Engineering career
Projectscinematograph
Awardsstar on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1960)

Lumière was born in Besançon. He attended the Martinière Technical School and worked as a manager at the photographic company of his father, Claude-Antoine Lumière. He was invited to attend a demonstration of the Kinetoscope invented by Thomas Edison, which inspired his and his brother's work on the cinematograph.[2] The brothers screened their first film using this device in December 1895, and following the success of this initial venture opened a number of cinemas worldwide. However, Auguste was skeptical of the potential of the device, remarking "My invention can be exploited... as a scientific curiosity, but apart from that it has no commercial value whatsoever".[3]

After his work on the cinematograph Lumière began focusing on the biomedical field, becoming a pioneer in the use of X-rays to examine fractures. He also contributed to innovations in military aircraft, producing a catalytic heater to allow cold-weather engine starts.[3] He died in Lyon, aged 91.

See also

References
  1. Dictionary of World Biography
  2. International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum
  3. Life and times of Auguste Lumière


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