" The building was about forty feet long and ten
feet wide.
Part its roof could opened let light. Although it
was described "revolving photographic building," has
become famous under the nickname coined for the lab— "the
Black Maria. The building cost $650 and earned its
place film history. (See Illus 6-7, 23440, 6570) Its interior was made
completely black create high contrast, giving sharp,
well-defined picture.
During 1893 and 1894 procession vaudeville performers made
their way from Manhattan West Orange perform the
"Black Maria": animal acts, dancing girls, strong men, and
famous figures such Annie Oakley and Buffalo Bill.
The subjects filmed the "Black Maria" came from the
vaudeville: the dominant form public entertainment the
time and favorite Edison's. set rails ran the length the
building and the camera was run along this— achieving steady
picture. was made wood covered with black tar paper and
it moved circular track follow the movement the sun. The vaudeville skit could
easily transferred second film and the proximity of
New York the laboratory guaranteed ready supply talent. Edison
took personal interest finding new talent; after. This was the
first motion picture studio built expressely for this purpose,
replacing the film shed erected Building one end of
the "Black Maria" was the room which film was loaded and
out the camera.2
grounds the laboratory make motion pictures
