In 1853, a small adobe hut was all that existed where Hollywood stands today. Over the next two decades, the area evolved into a thriving agricultural community called Cahuenga Valley.

In 1872, Edward Muybridge created the first movie ever made by using twelve cameras to capture shots in quick succession as a horse crossed a racetrack.

In 1883, banker and real estate mogul H. J. Whitley, known as the 'Father of Hollywood,' purchased land west of Hollywood and played a key role in its development by opening the Hollywood Hotel and developing upscale residential neighborhoods.

Harvey and Daeida Wilcox purchased 120 acres of land in California and named it 'Hollywood' after the holly bushes in the area. The name gained prominence with the rise of the film industry in the early 20th century.

Alice Guy Blaché is believed to be the first woman to direct a film in 1896, making her a pioneer in the movie industry.

By 1902, Hollywood had a post office, markets, a hotel, and a street car. The first movie studio appeared on Sunset Boulevard in 1911, attracting major motion-picture companies from the East Coast.

In 1904, Marcus Loew establishes Loews Theatres, which will go on to become the longest-running theater chain in the United States.

In 1910, the 17-minute adventure film 'In Old California' directed by DW Griffith became the first Hollywood production. It was filmed in its entirety in the village of Hollywood, marking the birth of Hollywood as a center for American cinema.

Mary Pickford marries Owen Moore, despite her mother's disapproval. She keeps the marriage a secret from her family and the public for several months.

The first issue of Motion Picture Story Magazine is released, marking the beginning of fan culture in the film industry. This publication is followed by Photoplay, which later names Mary Pickford 'Number One Actress of the Year' 15 times.

The premiere of Queen Elizabeth, a film featuring Sarah Bernhardt, is attended by New York society elites at the Lyceum theatre. This event helps introduce films to the upper class and extends the reach of cinema.

Adolph Zukor successfully convinces Mary Pickford to join his company, Famous Players, making her the highest paid actress in the world at the age of 21.

The first movie made in Hollywood was Cecil B. DeMille’s The Squaw Man in 1914, according to industry myth.

In 1915, Mary Pickford starred in Tess of the Storm Country, her fifth feature film and the first in a series for Famous Players. This role further elevated her celebrity status, showcasing her as a new type of heroine.

In 1916, D.W. Griffith's controversial film Birth of a Nation was released, shocking audiences with its inflammatory social commentary and innovative film techniques. The film had a lasting impact on the history of cinema.

At the age of 25, Pickford stars in the popular films 'Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm' and 'The Poor Little Rich Girl', showcasing her talent in portraying young girls in both features.

Pickford impresses audiences with her dramatic acting in 'Stella Maris', with some critics considering it to be her best work.

By 1919, “Hollywood” had transformed into the face of American cinema and all the glamour it would come to embody.

In 1920, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin, and D. W. Griffith joined forces to establish United Artists, a pioneering film studio aimed at producing and distributing their own movies.

Pickford and Fairbanks divorce their spouses to marry each other, leading to their union being celebrated as 'the marriage of the century'. They are embraced by the public as Hollywood royalty and reside in a grand estate known as 'Pickfair'.

Warner Bros. studio is established.

In 1924, Columbia and MetroGoldwyn (later known as Metro Goldwyn Mayer, M.G.M.) are founded, solidifying their positions as major players in the expanding film industry.

Warner Brothers releases Don Juan, the first film to feature sound effects and music, marking the beginning of the shift towards talkies in the film industry.

The Jazz Singer is a groundbreaking film starring Al Jolson, known for being the first to feature talking and singing. It revolutionized the film industry.

Mary Pickford, a prominent actress, experiences a personal tragedy as her mother Charlotte passes away from breast cancer. The grief-stricken Pickford publicly cuts off her iconic curls, garnering attention from the media.

Mary Pickford makes her debut in a talking film with Coquette, despite shaky sound quality. The movie proves to be a success at the box office, grossing $1.4 million.

Mary Pickford is honored with an Academy Award for her role in Coquette. Despite this recognition, she struggles to adapt to the era of talking pictures.

In 1934, MPPDA Chairman William Hays instituted the Motion Picture Production Code, also known as the Hays Code, which banned explicit depictions of sex, violence, and other 'sinful' deeds in movies. This marked the end of the uncensored Pre-Code era in Hollywood.

On December 9, 1936, Mary Pickford's sister Lottie passed away due to a heart attack, adding to the series of personal losses Pickford faced during this period.

In 1937, Benito Mussolini founded Cinecittà, a studio that aimed to use cinema as a powerful weapon for propaganda. During this time, countries worldwide utilized cinema to influence their citizens, with prolific directors like Frank Capra, John Ford, and others creating films to support the war cause.

An epic historical romance film based on the novel by Margaret Mitchell, set during the American Civil War and Reconstruction era, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of all time.

Directed by and starring Orson Welles, this film is often considered one of the greatest in cinematic history for its innovative storytelling and cinematography.

A classic romantic drama film starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, set during World War II in the Moroccan city of Casablanca, known for its memorable quotes and iconic performances.

In 1945, Mary Pickford launched Comet Pictures in collaboration with Columbia Pictures' Ralph Cohn. The company later released 'Sleep, My Love' in 1948, which was considered one of Pickford's successful productions.

During World War II, Hollywood increased productivity and produced propaganda, documentaries, and educational pictures to promote American patriotism and awareness of wartime needs. In 1946, theater attendance and profits reached an all-time high.

During the Cold War, the House Un-American Activities Committee investigated communism in films, leading to the blacklisting of the Hollywood Ten and others suspected of communist ties. This period marked a dark chapter in Hollywood's history.

On July 23, 1948, D. W. Griffith, the renowned filmmaker, passed away. Griffith had faced challenges in his later years, being out of sync with the evolving film industry.

In 1949, Mary Pickford, along with her husband Buddy Rogers and Malcolm Boyd, founded Pickford-Rogers-Boyd, a radio and television production company based in New York.

The 1950s saw Hollywood battling with the rise of television, leading to the introduction of new technologies like Cinerama and CinemaScope. The era was characterized by a shift in audience preferences and the emergence of new film genres.

In 1958, Mary Pickford sold her shares in United Artists for $3 million, which is equivalent to $19.7 million in 2003 dollars. This marked the end of her nearly 40-year involvement in the business venture she had founded.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard was dedicated on February 9, 1960, and Ronald Reagan's star was among the original stars unveiled on that day.

Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe, aged 36, is discovered deceased in her bedroom.

In 1965, the Cinématheque Française organized a retrospective of Mary Pickford's films. She attended the event in Paris where fans praised her work, after which she retreated from the public eye upon returning to Pickfair.

In 1966, Jack Valenti, a tough Texas lawyer, was brought in to restore Hollywood's confidence by replacing the Production Code with a more relaxed system of self-regulation. His tenure marked a significant shift in Hollywood's approach to censorship.

The Hollywood Golden Age era, which started in 1934, concluded with the emergence of the New Hollywood movement in 1968, signifying a shift in filmmaking styles and storytelling approaches.

The Godfather is a groundbreaking film that embraced innovative storytelling techniques and tackled previously taboo subjects. It is considered one of the greatest films in cinematic history.

Jaws is a groundbreaking film that embraced innovative storytelling techniques and tackled previously taboo subjects. It is considered the first summer blockbuster and changed the way movie studios approached filmmaking.

Taxi Driver is a film that embraced innovative storytelling techniques and tackled previously taboo subjects. It is known for its gritty portrayal of urban decay and mental illness.

Adolph Zukor, the founder of Paramount Pictures, passes away at the age of 103.

Star Wars is a groundbreaking film that ushered in a new era of high-concept, big-budget filmmaking. It broke box office records and revolutionized the movie industry.

Legendary actor and filmmaker Charlie Chaplin dies on Christmas Day at the age of 88.

Mary Pickford, one of the pioneers of early Hollywood and a co-founder of United Artists, passes away at the age of 87.

In 1980, Martin Scorsese's 'Raging Bull' starring Robert De Niro was released, showcasing the depth and intensity of black-and-white filmmaking. The film is considered a classic of American cinema and a testament to Hollywood's artistic capabilities.

Jurassic Park, released in 1993, showcased the power of CGI technology in creating realistic dinosaurs and stunning visual effects, setting a new standard for visual storytelling in Hollywood.

Quentin Tarantino's 'Pulp Fiction' released in 1994, revitalized the careers of actors like Bruce Willis and John Travolta. The film's unique blend of art-house and popular culture solidified Tarantino's position as a leading director of his generation.

In 1997, the film Titanic directed by James Cameron became the highest-grossing film of the 1990s, achieving immense success both critically and commercially.

Buddy Rogers, an actor and musician known for his roles in silent films, dies at the age of 94.

In 2006, Clint Eastwood directed 'Flags of Our Fathers' and 'Letters from Iwo Jima', offering a thoughtful portrayal of the second world war. These films marked a high point in Eastwood's illustrious Hollywood career.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a media franchise and shared universe that is centered on a series of superhero films produced by Marvel Studios. It started in 2008 with the release of 'Iron Man' and has since become a cultural phenomenon.

Avatar, released in 2009, pushed the boundaries of CGI technology with its visually stunning world of Pandora, showcasing the potential of technology in creating immersive cinematic experiences.

A reader named Divita inquired about the writer of the article 'The History of Hollywood: The Film Industry Exposed' on April 13, 2014, showing interest in conducting research on the topic.

The movie 'Spotlight' was released in 2015, focusing on The Boston Globe's investigation into cases of widespread and systemic child sex abuse in the Boston area by numerous Roman Catholic priests. It shed light on the importance of investigative journalism.

A user commented on the decline of moral, ethical, and lawful values in Hollywood and the nation, suggesting that a return to these values is necessary for improvement.

A conversation where one person dismisses the importance of a movie, while another defends it by mentioning Hollywood. The discussion also touches on the role of different countries in the history of movie-making.

A negative comment towards a previous conversation about movies, questioning the relevance and quality of the discussion.

A response to a comment suggesting that Hollywood might produce better movies if the grammar is improved.

A user expressed disappointment over the release schedule of a Star Wars film in August 2019 instead of December. They felt it was unfair to fans, including themselves and family members who love Star Wars.

A person reflects on the history of movies, highlighting the contributions of various countries like France, Italy, and Germany, and questioning the excessive credit given to Edison in the movie-making process.

Acknowledgment of Hollywood as a major global dreams factory and historical resource.

Hollywood predominantly focuses on British heritage, neglecting the rich history of Spanish influence in the United States, leading to a lack of awareness among the general population.

The ongoing push for greater diversity and representation in Hollywood, with more stories featuring women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. This trend is driven by changing audience preferences and the recognition that more diverse stories can be more commercially successful.

An article written by Benjamin Hale on February 19, 2024, delving into the history of Hollywood and exposing insights into the film industry.