Definition of slide show

The phrase "slide show" originated in the late 1950s, when photographers and businesses started using projectors to display a series of photo slides as a form of entertainment or presentation. The slides, typically 35mm in size, were printed on a thin, flexible material coated with a light-sensitive emulsion, which allowed for images to be captured from a camera and developed into slides. These slides were then loaded into a carousel-like device that held up to 100 slides, called a slide tray or changer. During a presentation, the projector would shine light onto the first slide, and the presenter could advance the slides manually by rotating the tray or using a remote control device, creating a visual display that could be seen on a large screen. The term "slide show" eventually became a popular phrase to describe this type of presentation, as the slides themselves were the primary medium for conveying information or entertainment. As technology advanced, digital projectors and presentation software replaced traditional slide shows, making the term "slide show" less common today. However, the term remains a part of the lexicon, especially in older generations and for those who still use slide projectors for historic or sentimental purposes.