Description
The Western Electric Company photographs span the late 1920s-1950s and encompass 15.8 linear feet. The
collection consists of nitrate negatives, safety negatives, and photographic prints depicting equipment,
both sound-related and projection-related, manufactured by the Western Electric Company.
Background
The Western Electric Company, an American electrical engineering firm, was formed in 1872. In the late
1920s, Western Electric was actively involved in the conversion of theaters from silent to sound films.
As the manufacturing arm of ATT, they developed and built a number of adapters and speakers specifically
for use in motion picture theaters.
Extent
15.8 linear feet of photographs.
Restrictions
Property rights to the physical object belong to the Margaret Herrick Library. Researchers are
responsible for obtaining all necessary rights, licenses, or permissions from the appropriate companies
or individuals before quoting from or publishing materials obtained from the library.
Availability
Available by appointment only.