As one of the most famous and prolific inventors of all time, American genius Thomas Edison exerted an enormous influence on modern life.

The kinematofor, made by Ernst Plank of Germany, is a variation of the praxinoscope invented in 1876 by Paris school teacher Charles-Émile Reynaud. This kinematofer dates from 1898.

Dating from the 1600s but hitting its stride in the 19th century, the magic lantern is considered the big brother of modern cinema.

A prized relic from the very first days of cinema in Australia, this film can once housed a roll of unexposed 35mm nitrate Lumière film.

This film by Frères Lumière cinematographer, Marius Sestier, features a comic rollerskater of great agility who entertains the public in Prince Alfred Park, Sydney.

This clip shows the crowd at what is probably the Melbourne Cup during the Spring Carnival of 1896.

This beautiful glass slide provides an important pictorial record of how Australia and Indigenous Australians were depicted in the late 1800s.

In the documentary Utopia Girls, historian Dr Clare Wright guides us through the fascinating story of how Australian women became the first in the world to gain full political rights.

Jandamarra's War begins by detailing Jandamarra's early years, starting with his birth in 1873.

This clip features a lead dancer in mask and two Dari headdress dancers in the Malu-Bomai Ceremony.

Summary by Liz McNiven