Filmstrips

Filmstrips are a format of educational visual media consisting of a long strip of film bearing a sequence of still photographs or illustrations. Each frame is usually captioned and prepared to be projected frame by frame on a dedicated filmstrip projector, allowing a teacher to pause, discuss, and prompt student responses. In practice, filmstrips were commonly distributed in boxed sets and intended for use with accompanying teacher’s guides. Some strips were silent, while others carried synchronized sound via a magnetic edge track or a separate audio recording.

The dominant stock was 16 mm film, though some were produced in 35 mm for larger audiences or in smaller, portable formats. Strips typically contain 40 to 60 frames and are designed to enable rapid progression by the instructor. The narrative or educational content spanned subjects such as language learning, science, geography, history, and civics. Projects often paired filmstrips with worksheets, discussion prompts, or scripted narration, enabling classroom instruction without expensive equipment or live presenters.

History and usage: Filmstrips gained prominence from the 1950s through the 1970s as a relatively affordable way to deliver visual instruction. Leading producers included Encyclopaedia Britannica Films and Coronet Films, among others. With the rise of video, overhead projectors, and later digital media, the production and use of filmstrips declined in schools by the late 20th century.

Legacy: Today, filmstrips are primarily found in archives, private collections, or used by media historians. Some institutions preserve original strips and companion guides, while modern digitization projects convert selected collections to streaming or downloadable formats for researchers and educators.