Adele De Berri

Adele De Berri was an American inventor and entrepreneur who founded the silver screen and the De Berri Screen and Scenic Company, which eventually came to be known as Da-Lite in the early 20th century.

Career
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. 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.

Da-Lite published a book in 2009 titled "First Lady of the Silver Screen," which chronicles Adele De Berri's invention and her founding of the company.

Legacy
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 to exceptional AV professionals who have made significant contributions to the industry.