by Matthew Adams

Created on: August 28, 2008

Universal Studios, in California is home to both a working film studio and a Universal theme park. Since its foundation, the Universal Studios have shaped the movie industry like few others.

It all began in 1915, when it was founded on the site of a former chicken farm. A German-American film pioneer by the name of Carl Laemmle opened two sets on the site, and he partnered with Abe and Julius Stern to create the facility.

As such, a Hollywood legend was born. Although, the origins of the studios can be traced further back to 1909 with the formation of the Yankee Film Company, which later became IMP. IMP became the Universal Film exchange in 1912, and the company became incorporated under that name. Mergers with several others created the major studio - Universal.

It was not until 1928 that Carl Laemmle would assume ownership of Universal. Attempts were made to raise the profile of the low-budget company with an increase in spending on production and talent. The 1929 release of Show Boat, along with King of Jazz and All Quiet on the Western Front (which won best picture award in 1930) were a result. Unfortunately, they did not generate a great financial return and Laemmle did not continue.

1952 saw the studios acquired by the Decco record company. Decco subsequently sold the universal city lot to MCA. By 1962 the studios made a full merge with MCA, and Lew Wasserman's leadership.

The 1960s also marked the beginning of the first Universal Studio in 1964. It all began as a quaint backstage tour of the studios. Since its opening, bigger attractions have come into being like Backdraft and Jurassic Park.

Universal also made its moves into the television programming business in the 1960s. The name was changed to Universal Television. The studios produced Action/adventure series like Columbo, Quantum Leap and Knight Rider.

The 1970s-1980s saw Universal release a number of box office hits. The Sting, Jaws, ET and Back to the Future were all prominent films of the period.

More recent developments in the studios history have seen the Universal's TV studios be renamed Univeral USA, by USA networks. However, these reverted back to the original name after Universal brought back the holdings in 2002. The French company Vivendi sold the studios to General Electric Corporation in 2003.

Today, Universal Studios in California are perhaps the most famous film studios. The Universal brand has been behind some memorable movies, like Jurassic Park, ET and Jaws. Hollywood classics, that are regarded as some of the greatest films.

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