"The Black Maria" (theater)

The Black Maria was one of the first film studios, established in 1893 by Thomas Edison's company in New Jersey. It was a small, moveable building with a retractable roof and large windows to let in natural light, enabling the filming of short motion pictures. Its design allowed for easy adjustment to capture optimal sunlight. The Black Maria played a significant role in early cinema history, serving as a pioneer space for producing some of the earliest movies and experimenting with film technology. It symbolizes the beginnings of the motion picture industry.