Final answer:
The primary contributions to early motion picture technology came from the fields of photography and optics, with key advancements including Eadweard Muybridge's experiments, George Eastman's photographic film, and physics' studies of motion. Additionally, developments in astronomy and the artistic evolution of photography played roles in shaping the technology and its societal impact.
Step-by-step explanation:
When tracing the precursors of motion picture technology, the contributions of photography and optics are pivotal. Advances in photographic technology during the nineteenth century enabled the permanent recording of images with a camera, eventually leading to the development of motion picture technology. English photographer Eadweard Muybridge's experiments with a Zoopraxiscope, showing running horses in motion, and George Eastman's invention of photographic film in 1884 were crucial in this evolution. Further advancements were made when French inventor Louis Le Prince patented a motion-picture camera and recorded the first movie. The branches of physics, such as kinematics and dynamics, provided a scientific understanding of moving objects, essential for the development of cinematic technologies.
Moreover, the invention of the telescope by Hans Lipper Shey in 1608 and Galileo's astronomic studies subsequently expanded the field of astronomy, which also influenced kinematic studies. The technological progress in the early 20th century led to photography becoming a significant artistic medium that reflected the changing social and cultural landscape. Photography's role in science and art, encapsulated in Eadweard Muybridge's locomotion studies and the artistic movements of Cubism and Futurism that embraced the medium, illustrated its wide impact on society.