The first drive-in movie theater in the United States was opened on June 6, 1933, in Camden, New Jersey. The idea of having a drive-in theater came from Richard M. Hollingshead Jr., who had the idea of setting up a movie projector and screen in his carport, so that he and his family could watch movies together while relaxing in their cars.
The Birth of Drive-in Movie Theaters
Hollingshead filed a patent for the concept of “drive-in” theaters in 1932 and opened the first one in Camden, New Jersey. He charged 25 cents per car and 25 cents per person to watch movies at his drive-in theatre.
The theater was an instant hit with moviegoers, as it offered them the convenience of watching movies without having to leave their cars. This concept spread quickly throughout the United States and by 1958 there were over 4000 drive-ins across the country.
Advancement and Popularity
The popularity of drive-ins grew rapidly during the 1950s as they became a popular destination for date nights, family outings and group gatherings. During this time period, drive-ins began offering more than just movies; they started serving food like hamburgers and hot dogs, setting up playgrounds for children, adding mini golf courses and even having live music performances on some nights.
The Decline of Drive-in Movie Theaters
By the 1970s, however, with the introduction of multiplex theaters that could show more than one movie at a time, as well as increased competition from home video services like VHS tapes, the number of drive-ins began to decline rapidly. By 1988 there were only about 1000 left in operation.
Conclusion:
The first drive-in movie theater opened on June 6th 1933 in Camden New Jersey. It quickly gained popularity throughout the 1950s but declined when multiplex theaters started becoming popular in the 1970s.
By 1988 there were only about 1000 left operating in the United States. Therefore it can be concluded that New Jersey was home to the first ever drive-in movie theater.