Theatrograph

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}

{{Use British English|date=March 2012}}

File:Fachada do Animatógrafo do Rossio.jpg, Lisbon]]

The Theatrograph is the first commercially produced 35mm film projector in Britain. It was first demonstrated by R.W. Paul at Finsbury Technical College on February 20, 1896. The use of Paul's Theatrograph in music halls up and down the country popularised early cinema in Britain. It was first revealed to the public at the Egyptian Hall in Piccadilly, London.

Carl Hertz sailed from England on 28 March 1896 aboard the Royal Mail Ship {{RMS|Norman}} and during the voyage exhibited Paul's Theatrograph to the passengers. He also exhibited films in South Africa and Australia. The screenings in South Africa were the first public screenings of moving pictures in that country. After Australia, Hertz took the Theatrograph to Ceylon (Sri Lanka), India, China, Japan, the Fiji Islands, and Hawaii.

George Melies purchased one of Paul's theatrographs in 1896.Wakeman, John. World Film Directors, Volume 1. The H. W. Wilson Company. 1987. pp. 747–765.

The Theatrograph was also known as the Animatograph.