Final answer:
Adding holes to the film reel enabled synchronization with the projection mechanism, allowing movies to be projected smoothly and consistently. It also paved the way for later advancements such as the synchronization of sound and film.
Step-by-step explanation:
Adding holes to the film reel helped allow synchronization between the film and the projection mechanism. This was a crucial development in the history of cinematography, as it enabled the smooth passage of film through the camera and projector, leading to a consistent motion picture. The perforations in the film, also known as sprocket holes, engaged with gears or sprockets within the camera and the projector to ensure precise timing, frame by frame.
This technological advancement was important because, before the use of film reels with perforations, there was no standardized method for advancing film, which could lead to jams or uneven motion during filming and projection. The Lumiere brothers, among other inventors of the time, contributed to this innovation. It established a foundation for film standardization, which allowed for the mass production of cameras and projectors and later enabled the synchronization of sound with motion pictures, creating the 'talkies' that revolutionized the film industry.