Léon Bouly

Léon Guillaume Bouly (French: [buli]; 1872–1932) was a French inventor who created the word cinematograph.

After devising chronophotography devices, Bouly applied a patent on a reversible device of photography and optics for the analysis and synthesis of motions, calling it the Cynématographe Léon Bouly on February 12, 1892.

It uses a sensitive film without perforations and all principles required by cinematography are available: most notably, the film's jerky movement through the camera's gate is synchronized with the shutter.

Two of these devices are conserved in the French Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers.

In 1894, Bouly could not pay the fees for his patents and the name "cinématographe" became available again.