| Adele De Berri | |
| Birth Name: | Adele De Berri |
| Birth Date: | 1885 |
| Birth Place: | United States |
| Years Active: | 1907–1950 |
| Death Place: | US |
| Occupation: | Inventor, entrepreneur |
| Known For: | Invention of silver screen and founder of Da-Lite Company |
Adele De Berri was an American inventor and entrepreneur who founded the silver screen[1] and the De Berri Screen and Scenic Company, which eventually came to be known as Da-Lite[2] in the early 20th century.[3]
She was born in 1885 in the US. In the rented basement of an abandoned church, Adele conducted experiments with reflective paint to develop an improved projection screen. Through trial and error, she discovered the right mixture of paint that worked effectively on canvas, creating a brighter and clearer image.[4] Adele then sold her invention to Vaudeville houses and motion picture houses in the area, gaining popularity among audiences. Her screens, known as "silver screens," were widely adopted in Chicago's movie theaters. When she was 24 years old in 1909, she established the De Berri Screen and Scenic Company, later renamed the Da-Lite Screen Company.[5]
Da-Lite published a book in 2009 titled "First Lady of the Silver Screen," which chronicles Adele De Berri's invention[6] and her founding of the company.[7] [8]
Adele De Berri's legacy lies in her invention of the "silver screen" and the establishment of the De Berri Screen and Scenic Company in 1909, later known as the Da-Lite Screen Company. Her invention revolutionized the movie industry and greatly improved projection quality. Recognizing her contributions, AVIXA, the global trade association for the audiovisual industry, presents the prestigious Adele De Berri Pioneer of AV Award[9] [10] to exceptional AV professionals who have made significant contributions to the industry.[11]