What role did Eadweard Muybridge play in the history of motion pictures?

Eadweard Muybridge played a crucial role in the history of motion pictures through his pioneering photographic studies of motion. In 1877, he developed a technique using multiple cameras to capture sequential images of a horse in motion, proving that all four hooves leave the ground simultaneously during a trot. To demonstrate the accuracy of his work and counter criticism, Muybridge invented the zoopraxiscope. This device projected his sequential photographs in rapid succession, creating the illusion of moving pictures and serving as an important predecessor to modern cinema. His work significantly contributed to the understanding of animal locomotion and laid foundational groundwork for the development of the motion picture industry.12