Hollywood is not just a place — it’s an idea, a myth, and a global symbol of storytelling power. Perched in the hills of Los Angeles, California, it has grown from a small farming community into the beating heart of the world’s entertainment industry. Over more than a century, Hollywood has shaped global culture, influenced politics, and reflected society’s dreams, fears, and ambitions. At the dawn of the 20th century, filmmakers fled the East Coast to escape Thomas Edison’s strict patent controls over motion-picture equipment. They headed west, drawn by California’s year-round sunshine, diverse landscapes, and low production costs.
In 1910, the first motion picture was shot in Hollywood — In Old California by D.W. Griffith. Soon, studios began to sprout across Los Angeles: Paramount, Warner Bros., Universal, 20th Century Fox, and MGM. By the 1920s, Hollywood had become a magnet for dreamers, inventors, and artists from around the world. Hollywood’s “Golden Age” defined modern cinema. Lavish productions, glamorous stars, and revolutionary storytelling techniques captivated audiences worldwide.
