First Drive-in Movie Theater Opened in Camden, New Jersey

The first drive-in movie theater opened in Camden, New Jersey, in 1933, providing a new way for people to enjoy films. Invented by Richard M. Hollingshead Jr., the concept of the drive-in theater quickly gained popularity and spread across the United States, becoming a staple of American culture.

• Richard M. Hollingshead Jr. proposed a drive-in theater as a solution for his mother, who found traditional movie theater seats uncomfortable.
• Hollingshead experimented in his driveway, using a Kodak projector mounted on the hood of his car and a screen hung between two trees.
• He patented the concept on May 16, 1933, and the first drive-in theater opened on June 6, 1933, in Camden, New Jersey.
• The first film shown at the drive-in was “Wife Beware,” a British comedy
• Drive-in theaters quickly gained popularity and peaked in the 1950s and 1960s, with over 4,000 drive-ins across the United States
• Drive-ins became popular hangout spots for families, teenagers, and young couples, creating a unique social environment
• Theaters often featured playgrounds, concession stands, and other amenities to attract customers
• The advent of color television, VCRs, and multiplex theaters led to a decline in drive-in popularity starting in the 1970s
• Today, fewer than 350 drive-in theaters remain in operation in the United States, but they still hold nostalgic appeal for many people
• Drive-in theaters have experienced a resurgence in interest due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as they provide a safer, socially distanced entertainment option

In summary, the opening of the first drive-in movie theater in Camden, New Jersey, in 1933 revolutionized the film-going experience and became an iconic part of American culture. Though their numbers have dwindled, drive-in theaters still hold nostalgic appeal and have found renewed relevance in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.