(Lumière is the French word for light.)
Yesterday’s outing included a trip to the Lumière Museum in Lyon. The Lumière family, particularly brothers Auguste and Louis, were instrumental in the early days of cinema. While Edison’s kinetoscope showed movies to individuals (similar to a peep show), les frères Lumière pioneered cameras and projection equipment so the masses could see films. They sent cinematographers around the world to film scenes of everyday life. Not only were the Lumières key to cinema, their company produced still photography supplies and cameras well into the 20th century. The factories were centered in Lyon near the family home. In addition, the brothers were issued patents for medicine-embedded bandages and the precursor to membrane hi-fi speakers.
Every year the Lumière Institute holds a festival and awards one artist for lifetime achievement in film. Last year’s awardee was Martin Scorcese; this year’s is Catherine Deneuve. Alas, the festival starts on Wednesday, the day after we leave Lyon. We highly recommend visiting the museum. It’s away from downtown, but worth the subway ride.
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