The drive-in theater was the creation of Camden, New Jersey chemical plant owner Richard M. Hollingshead, Jr. In 1932, Hollingshead conducted outdoor theater tests
in his driveway. After nailing a screen to trees in his backyard, he set a 1928 Kodak Projector on the hood of his car and put a radio behind the screen, testing different sound levels with his car windows down and up. Blocks under vehicles in the driveway enabled him to determine the size and spacing enabled him to determine the size and spacing of ramps so all automobiles could have a clear view of the screen. Following these experiments, he applied for a patent in 1932. Hollingshead’s drive-in opened in New Jersey June 6, 1933. It offered 500 slots and a 40 by 50 ft. screen. He advertised his drive-in theater with the slogan, "The whole family is welcome, regardless of how noisy the children are”. The first film shown was the 1933 Adolphe Menjou film Wife Beware.

No Tags