What is the story behind the world's first drive-in movie theater, and where was it located?

In the heart of Camden, New Jersey, a summer evening in 1933 marked the birth of a quintessentially American pastime: the drive-in movie theater. Richard Hollingshead, a man with a flair for invention and a knack for problem-solving, set out to merge two of the nation’s great loves—automobiles and cinema. Hollingshead came up with the idea after watching his mother struggle to find comfort in traditional theater seating. Inspired, he experimented in his driveway by nailing a screen to trees, perching a projector on the hood of his car, and testing the sound system using a radio. He quickly realized the potential for something magical: movies viewed from the cozy confines of your own car.

Hollingshead patented the idea and opened the first official drive-in on June 6, 1933. The admission price was 25 cents per car and 25 cents per person. The initial audience sat through a British comedy called Wives Beware, projected onto a massive outdoor screen, as the cool evening breeze swept through the rows of parked cars.

Though it took some time for the concept to take off, by the 1950s, drive-ins were cultural hubs, known for their novelty, family-friendly vibes, and, yes, their role in sparking countless romances. Hollingshead’s invention proved that innovation doesn’t have to be complicated—it just requires a bit of imagination, a passion for bringing people together, and perhaps a splash of greasepaint on a car windshield. Today, drive-ins remain a nostalgic slice of Americana, and the very first one in Camden stands as a reminder of how a simple idea can transform into a beloved tradition.