Developing Stop Motion Animation

The first example of stop motion animation was created by Albert E. Smith and Stuart Blackton.
Blackton was born on January 5th 1875 in Sheffield and was a film producer and director of silent film. He worked for most of his life as an illustrator whilst producing, directing, writing and starring in his own films. Whilst working for the 'New York Evening World' he was sent to interview Thomas Edison about his Vitascope, it was suggested that Blackton and Smith buy a print of the films, as well as nine others and a Vitascope.
Albert was born on June 4th 1875 in Kent, and was a stage magician, film director and producer, in 1897 he founded 'Vitagraph Studios' with his partner, James Blackton.
In 1898 'The Humpty Dumpty Circus' was created, it was the first of its kind, in this film a toy circus of acrobats and animals come to life with the kelp of jointed limbs and stands. This animation has since been lost, and now only the ideas and information about the short film are available.