Hewlett-Packard’s first big customer was Walt Disney, who purchased special sound equipment for the making & showing of this film

In the category of “The Movies,” the Final Jeopardy clue for Wednesday, September 18, 2024, was: “Hewlett-Packard’s first big customer was Walt Disney, who purchased special sound equipment for the making & showing of this film.” The correct response to this clue is Fantasia.

Released in 1940, Fantasia is a landmark in the history of cinema, known for its innovative combination of classical music and animation. The film was a significant achievement not only in terms of artistic ambition but also for its technological breakthroughs. Walt Disney sought to push the boundaries of what was possible in animation, and this film marked a turning point for both the company and the industry.

The Role of Hewlett-Packard in Fantasia

Walt Disney’s collaboration with Hewlett-Packard (HP) for the production and showing of Fantasia is a notable part of film history. HP, which had been founded just the year before, became one of Disney’s key partners in the film’s production. Disney needed specialized sound equipment to create an immersive audio experience that had never been achieved before in theaters. He turned to HP for a solution, making the company’s first major customer Walt Disney Studios.

The equipment that HP provided was crucial in creating what would become known as “Fantasound,” an early stereo system designed specifically for Fantasia. This advanced sound system allowed the music to be synchronized with the animated visuals in a more dynamic way, giving audiences a completely new cinematic experience.

The Importance of “Fantasound”

At the time of its release, Fantasia was groundbreaking not only for its artistic approach but also for its technological innovations. “Fantasound,” developed with the help of HP, was one of the first systems to offer surround sound in theaters. This technology enabled sound to move across speakers in the theater, creating a sense of depth and motion that enhanced the visual spectacle on screen.

Although Fantasia didn’t achieve immediate commercial success upon release, its use of stereo sound was ahead of its time and laid the groundwork for future developments in cinema audio. The collaboration between Disney and HP set a precedent for how technology could be leveraged to enhance storytelling in film.

Fantasia: A Legacy of Innovation

The influence of Fantasia continues to be felt in both the world of animation and the wider film industry. Its unique approach to sound and visual storytelling broke new ground in how films could be experienced by audiences. While the film itself was an artistic gamble, Disney’s decision to invest in new technology proved to be a visionary move. The partnership with HP is a testament to the importance of innovation in cinema, showing how creative ambition often requires equally bold technological solutions.

Today, Fantasia is regarded as a classic, not only for its artistic achievements but for the way it reshaped the technical landscape of movie production.

Who Won Jeopardy Tonight? – Wednesday, 18 September 2024

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Final Jeopardy Video – Wednesday, 18 September 2024

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