The story of projectors starts in the 17th century with the invention of the magic lantern. This device, often considered the first projector, used a simple oil lamp, a concave mirror, and painted glass slides to project images onto walls. The magic lantern became popular in the 18th and 19th centuries for entertainment and educational purposes, often showcasing images such as scenes from nature or historical events. These early projectors paved the way for future innovations in image projection.