On June 6, 1933, inventor Richard Hollingshead opened the world’s first drive‑in theater in Pennsauken, New Jersey. Admission was 25 cents per car.
Hollingshead tested the concept obsessively in his driveway, experimenting with car spacing and ramp angles to ensure clear sightlines. He even sprayed water over windshields to simulate rain. His patented terraced parking system became the blueprint for every drive‑in that followed.
