Via: OnlineSchools.org

Stereoscopic Slump: 3D Goes to the Amusement Park

During the late '80s and '90s stereoscopic films lost popularity attheaters. Instead the technology found a home at theme parks like 
Disneyland and Universal Studios. Several short films were 
specifically created as featured attractions. Titles included the 
following:

Captain EO (Disney Theme Parks)
Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies(Universal Studios Parks)
Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3D (Disney Theme Parks)
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience! (Disney Theme Parks)
T2 3-D: Battle Across Time (Universal Studios Parks)
It's Tough to Be a Bug! (Disney Theme Parks)
Transitions (IMAX Attraction)

RealD, The Business Behind Today's 3D

From the RealD Website:

"We are a leading global licensor of stereoscopic (three-dimensional), or 3D, technologies. Our extensive intellectual property portfolio enables a premium 3D viewing experience in the theater, the home and elsewhere.

We license our RealD Cinema Systems to motion picture exhibitors that show 3D motion pictures and alternative 3D content. We also provide our RealD Format, active and passive eyewear, and display and gaming technologies to consumer electronics manufacturers and content producers and distributors to enable the delivery and viewing of 3D content on high definition televisions, laptops and other displays. Our cutting-edge 3D technologies have been used for applications such as piloting the Mars Rover, heads-up displays for military jets and robotic medical procedures."

Different Types of Glasses

The most familiar elements of stereoscopic 3D are the glasses issued to the viewing audience. There are different types of glasses used to achieve the same illusion of depth.
ANAGLYPH GLASSES

Anaglyph glasses use color filters to control the image that each eye sees.

POLARIZED GLASSES

Polarized glasses use a different type of polarizing filter for each eye.

SHUTTER GLASSES

Shutter glasses are relatively new and use battery operated shutters to control what each eye sees These glasses are becoming popular with 3D televisions.

Stereoscopy in Movies: Early History

The Early Stereoscope

In Movies
1890s - William Friese-Greene files a patent, makes first 3D moving projections, viewer used a stereoscope to combine to seperate images that were projected side by side. Awkward and difficult.


 WILLIAM FRIESE-GREENE

1900 - Frederick Eugene Ives patented his stereo camera rig


FREDERICK EUGENE IVES

1922 - The Power of Love - anaglyph glasses used (red/green)

1935 - Audioscopiks - documentary showcasing the technology (MGM)

Audioscopiks (1935) from Patrick Nissim on Vimeo.




1930s-1940s - Polaroid filters developed for 3D projection systems.



1952-1955 - Golden Era of 3D

STEREOSCOPY
 
 Introduction
      Background Information
           Invention of Stereoscopy
           Early Popularity in Cinema
           How it worked
           Films That Showcase Stereoscopy
 Recent Popularity and Technological Advances
           How New Technology Differs From Old
                Glasses
                Cameras
           James Cameron
                 Development Of Camera Systems
          Unique To The Theater?
 Stereoscopic 3D In Your Living Room
           Television Manufacturers Adopt Technology
                  Background In Television Adaptation
            How will it be used at home?
            How/When will it change the nature of TV broadcasting?
            Economic Effects
                 Effect On Product Pricing (Electronics/Televisions)
                 Effect On The Film Industry
            How Will This Effect Everyday Household
                 Glasses/Lasik?
                 Computer Monitors/Video Billboards/Video Installations?
            Scientific Applications
 Conclusion