The Record of a Sneeze Day

The Record of a Sneeze Day is observed annually on February 2. This holiday commemorates the first motion picture ever to be granted a copyright in the United States, officially titled “Edison Kinetoscopic Record of a Sneeze.” The five-second clip, featuring Thomas Edison’s assistant Fred Ott, serves as a landmark event in cinematic history, marking the transition from still photography to moving images as recognized intellectual property.

History of The Record of a Sneeze Day

The film was shot between January 2 and January 7, 1894, at the Black Maria studio in West Orange, New Jersey. William K.L. Dickson, an engineer at Edison’s laboratory, directed the short piece to fulfill a request from Harper’s Weekly for a series of photographs to accompany an article on the new Kinetoscope technology. Fred Ott, a lab employee known for his expressive gags, was selected to perform. To trigger the sneeze, Ott inhaled a pinch of snuff, and the camera captured a sequence of 45 frames that showed him grimacing, sneezing, and recovering.

On January 9, 1894, the Library of Congress received the application for copyright. Because federal law did not yet have a specific category for “motion pictures,” Dickson submitted the film as a single photograph consisting of multiple frames printed on a large sheet of paper. This clever legal workaround ensured that the invention was protected under existing copyright statutes. The holiday is observed on February 2 to celebrate the cultural impact of this “flicker” and to recognize the dawn of the global film industry.

Why is The Record of a Sneeze Day important?

This day is significant because it honors the birth of motion picture law and the technical innovation of early cinema. Before this film, moving images were considered a novelty without legal standing as art. The successful copyrighting of “Fred Ott’s Sneeze” established a precedent that allowed filmmakers to protect their creative work, paving the way for the multibillion-dollar industry that exists today. It also serves as a reminder of the Black Maria studio, which was the first dedicated movie studio in the United States.

Beyond film history, the day highlights the biological importance of the sneeze as a natural defense mechanism. While the film was meant as a comedy, it effectively demonstrated the Kinetoscope’s ability to capture high-speed, involuntary human movements that are difficult for the naked eye to track. The observance encourages a deeper appreciation for the preservation of early media, as the Library of Congress continues to maintain the original paper prints as part of the National Film Registry.

• It marks the first time a moving image was legally recognized as art.
• The day celebrates the engineering success of Thomas Edison and his team.
• It highlights the historical use of “paper prints” to save early films from decay.
• Supporters use the date to discuss the science of nasal reflexes and health.
• It serves as a tribute to the humble beginnings of modern mass entertainment.

How to Celebrate The Record of a Sneeze Day

The most authentic way to celebrate is by watching the original five-second clip, which is widely available through the Library of Congress digital archives. Enthusiasts often share the GIF or short video on social media to highlight the evolution of special effects and camera quality over the last century. Since the film was originally meant for a magazine, some fans choose to read early accounts of the Kinetoscope to understand how audiences in the 1890s first reacted to the concept of moving pictures.

Educational activities are also popular, particularly those that focus on the science of sneezing. Families can learn why bright lights or specific spices trigger a sternutation reflex or why the eyes involuntarily close during the process. Some communities host small film festivals featuring early silent shorts to provide context for Fred Ott’s performance. For a lighthearted touch, participants might share their own funny sneezing stories or watch humorous “slow-motion” videos of modern sneezes to see how they compare to the 1894 original.

• Watch the five-second “Fred Ott’s Sneeze” on the Library of Congress website.
• Share a post about early film history using the hashtag #RecordOfASneezeDay.
• Research the “photic sneeze reflex” to understand why sunlight triggers sneezes.
• Visit a local museum or archive that features early 19th-century technology.
• Learn about the “Black Maria” studio and its unique rotating design.

The Record of a Sneeze Day Dates Table