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IMAX Factoids

The Science Center's IMAX Theatre

IMAX® motion picture systems, invented and developed by the IMAX Corporation, are arguably the finest motion picture systems in the world. Images of unsurpassed size, clarity and impact are projected onto giant rectangular screens that are several stories high.

IMAX projectors are the most advanced, highest-precision and most powerful projectors ever built. The key to their superior performance and reliability is the unique "Rolling Loop" film movement. The Rolling Loop, originally invented by Australian Ron Jones, adapted and enhanced by IMAX, advances the film horizontally in a smooth, wave-like motion. During projection, each frame is positioned on fixed registration pins, and a vacuum holds the film firmly against the rear element of the lens. As a result, the picture and steadiness of focus are far above normal standards.

Screen size:

• Four stories tall (41 feet high, 58 feet wide; 71-foot diagonal).
• The screen was custom-built in England for our facility.

Seating capacity: 

• 230 stadium-style seats, including space for wheelchairs.
• Each row of seats is elevated above the row in front of it for better lines of sight.

Construction costs: 

• Over $2.25 million (in 1988 dollars).

Projection system: 

• The IMAX® projection system, with a cost of over $1 million, is the largest projection system in the world.
• The light source is a 4,500-watt Xenon lamp.

The film: 

• IMAX projectors use 15/70mm film, which is 10 times larger than 35mm film and 3 times larger than 70mm film.
• The film is projected at 24 frames per second. About 336 feet of film pass through the projector each minute, meaning a 40-minute show requires about 2.5 miles of film!

Sound system: 

• Superior digital sound quality is delivered via a six-channel playback unit.
• Six speaker clusters plus a sub-bass loudspeaker cluster (total of 32 speakers).
• Total power is 11,000 watts.
• In 1992, the theater added a Digital Disc Playback (DDP) System, giving the audience six discrete channel digital sound, while using three discs simultaneously.

History:

• The IMAX Theatre opened on July 23, 1988, at the Louisville Science Center (then the Museum of History and Science). A new roof was added to accommodate the giant four-story screen.
• Louisville's IMAX Theatre was the 52nd installation in the world. Today, there are approximately 200 theaters throughout the world in museums, theme parks and entertainment centers.
• On October 3, 1997, our IMAX Theatre welcomed its two-millionth visitor.
• The IMAX Theatre and lobby were renovated in fall 2005.