The first drive-in theatre was invented by Richard M. Hollingshead who was from New Jersey, USA. He mounted a 1928 Kodak projector on the hood of his car and used it to project onto a screen he had nailed between trees. He placed a radio behind the screen for sound, then started to test his idea.
Richard tested sound with the windows up, down and half way. He tested many weather conditions, using his lawn sprinkler he simulated a rainstorm. Richard liked what he saw and heard. One main problem did arise in his test. That was if cars were parked behind each other, the cars at the rear would not be able to see the whole picture, due to the car in front. This did not stop Richard, he lined up cars in his driveway spacing them at various distances and placing blocks under their front wheels he was able to find the correct spacing and the correct angles to build ramps for the cars front tires to park on. Thus the first drive-in theatre was born.
Richard registered his invention at the US Patent Office on August 6, 1932. On May 16, 1933 he received a patent number of 1,909,537 - the first drive-in theatre patent ever. Later in May of 1950 the patent was declared invalid by the Delaware District Court.
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