There’s a certain charm to watching historical moments come alive on the big screen. It’s a delightful blend of our fascination with real people and events, intertwined with their epic struggles. Directors and writers have a knack for captivating us with imaginative and entertaining details that go beyond the usual historical accounts. It’s as if we are transported to the very moment when history was being made, right in front of us.
But what truly captivates us is when these films shine a light on the triumph of the underdogs, defying all odds to achieve their dreams. There’s an indescribable thrill in cheering for the little guy, no matter the subject matter. Even the simplest of inventions can be transformed into mesmerizing tales through the enchantment of Hollywood. Filmmakers have an incredible talent for weaving narratives that keep us completely engrossed, losing track of time.
Whether they stick to the facts or add a dash of creativity, these movies offer a glimpse into the surprisingly fascinating stories behind real-life inventions. So, get comfortable, kick back, and prepare to be utterly captivated by these incredible tales.”
1. The Founder’ – The Invention Of McDonald’s
In The Founder, we witness the journey of Ray Kroc, a struggling salesman of milkshake mixers, as he stumbles upon a burger stand owned by Dick and Mac McDonald. Recognizing the tremendous potential in their straightforward business model, Kroc becomes determined to achieve remarkable success.
After purchasing the McDonald’s name from the brothers for a whopping $2.7 million, Kroc severs all ties with them, effectively erasing their contribution from the origins of the brand. This decision sparks a fierce rivalry between the main characters, making it difficult for filmmakers and even historians to ascertain whose perspective on the unfolding events is more accurate. Nevertheless, the film does capture several key details about Kroc’s personality and ambition, staying true to historical accuracy.
2. Lorenzo’s Oil’ – The Invention Of A Medical Treatment For Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD)
After learning that his young son, Lorenzo, had adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), an incurable and fatal disease, Augusto Odone, a banking expert, and his wife Michaela embarked on a mission to find a cure. With determination, they delved into research on biochemistry and the nervous system, conducting experiments to try and extend their son’s life. Along the way, they reached out to doctors and experts from various fields, hoping to uncover solutions. Their efforts brought together previously unacquainted medical professionals who collaborated to develop a chemical compound that could slow the progression of Lorenzo’s illness. Although a cure for ALD remained elusive, the Odones and their team successfully created an experimental drug that significantly prolonged their son’s lifespan.
The inspiring story of the Odone family’s journey is depicted in the film Lorenzo’s Oil, featuring the talented actors Nick Nolte and Susan Sarandon. Directed by George Miller, renowned for his work on Mad Max and also a former physician, the 1992 movie not only brings their story to life but has also generated substantial funding for further research on Lorenzo’s Oil and other potential treatments for ALD.
3. Flash of Genius’ – The Invention Of The Intermittent Windshield Wiper
Bob Kearns’s family believes that the movie “Flash of Genius” accurately portrays how he invented the first intermittent windshield wiper and the long legal battles they faced afterward. In the film, Kearns, played by Greg Kinnear, realizes the importance of his invention and presents it to Ford Corporation, hoping for a partnership. However, Ford decides to use his invention without giving him any compensation. This leads Kearns to fight relentlessly for over 30 years to get what he deserved, and the movie tells this inspiring story in a “David and Goliath” style narrative.
4. Tetris’ – The Invention Of Tetris
Apple TV+’s Tetris tells the fascinating story of Henk Rogers (Taron Egerton), an American businessman who ventured to Moscow under Soviet rule to secure the rights to sell the iconic game in America. Along the way, he forms a partnership with the original creator, Alexey Pajitnov (Nikita Efremov), as they work together to bring their entrepreneurial vision to the world via computers and gaming systems. The film accurately portrays the challenges Rogers faced, including the complexities of dealing with others who had partial rights to the game.
Fact-checkers have confirmed that even the most detailed parts of the movie are true to the real events. This includes Rogers’ initial discovery of the game, the legal hurdles associated with inventing in communist countries, and other business-related aspects depicted in the film. However, it’s worth noting that certain elements, such as the race against the fall of the Iron Curtain, the inclusion of double agents, and thrilling car chase scenes, were fictional additions to enhance the narrative.
5. The Social Network’ – The Invention Of Facebook
The Social Network” is a film that delves into the origins of Facebook, starting with a playful prank among a group of Harvard students who created a website to rate and compare women at their college. It follows Mark Zuckerberg’s journey (played by Jesse Eisenberg) as he gains wealth, makes allies, and enemies in the evolution of the social networking platform. The plot and script were inspired by the book “The Accidental Billionaires,” written by Ben Mezrich, even before it was fully completed.
Zuckerberg has openly expressed his disdain for the published work and the film it inspired. He argues that neither he nor any other Facebook employees involved in creating the website verified the facts. According to Zuckerberg, “The Facebook Effect,” another biography on the events, provides a more accurate account of the company’s success. However, “The Facebook Effect” does acknowledge several similarities between the film and the company’s startup story.
In reality, Zuckerberg did begin his journey at Harvard by creating facemash.com, which was shut down shortly after its launch. This short-lived invention prompted Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss to approach Zuckerberg for help with their own project, the Harvard Connection idea. Eduardo Saverin did freeze the company’s account, forcing Zuckerberg to personally cover expenses. Additionally, Sean Parker, the creator of Napster, played a crucial role in securing investors and bringing the website to life
6. Air’ – The Invention Of The Nike Air Jordan
Directed by and co-starring Ben Affleck, Air tells the captivating story of basketball legend Michael Jordan’s collaboration with Nike’s struggling basketball division at the time. The film takes us on a journey, showcasing how Nike’s corporate executives took bold risks and employed unconventional business practices of that era to secure Michael Jordan’s endorsement for their shoes. Alongside Affleck, Matt Damon portrays Nike employee Sonny Vaccaro, who plays a pivotal role in campaigning for Jordan’s parents, portrayed by Viola Davis and Julius Tennon, to agree to the deal. This unlikely collaboration not only revitalized the Nike brand but also sparked a global trend.
Although some of the characters in Air may be exaggerated or underrepresented, and a few statistics may be off, the 72 former and current Nike employees who attended the private screening agree that the film accurately captures the chaotic atmosphere within the corporation and its negotiations with the Jordans. In particular, the film highlights the crucial role of Michael’s mother, Deloris, played by Viola Davis, in ensuring he held a significant stake in the venture. Ben Affleck shared that it was Michael Jordan himself who insisted on Viola Davis portraying his mother on screen, as her extensive involvement in securing his position in the business venture deserved recognition.
In conclusion, Air provides an insightful portrayal of the collaboration between Michael Jordan and Nike’s basketball division. Despite some artistic liberties taken in the depiction of characters and events, the film effectively captures the tumultuous nature of the corporate world and the transformative impact of this unprecedented partnership.
7. Hysteria’ – The Invention Of The Vibrator
In the movie Hysteria, set in Victorian England, doctors were faced with the challenging task of treating women suffering from “hysteria.” This peculiar condition could only be cured through manual stimulation of the women’s genitalia. Dr. Granville, played by Hugh Dancy, discovers that his right wrist is constantly sore due to the high number of women seeking treatment. In a stroke of luck, he joins forces with Edmund St John-Smyth, portrayed by Rupert Everett, an expert in household electrical items. Together, they create a game-changing invention – a vibrating feather duster. Little did they know that this invention would revolutionize the doctor’s practice and ultimately lead to the creation of the vibrator.
Although the movie takes some liberties with the personal relationships depicted, it is based on the real-life story of Dr. Joseph Mortimer Granville, who did indeed invent the first electromechanical vibrator in the early 1880s. Interestingly, his invention was originally designed to relieve male muscle soreness, and he adamantly refused to treat female patients. However, during the Victorian era, vibrators were indeed developed to address the issue of hysteria in women. The first mechanical vibrator, designed for both men and women, was actually invented in the 18th century. Over time, with advancements brought about by the Industrial Revolution, vibrators became powered by water, steam, and eventually electricity.
8. BlackBerry’ – The Invention Of The BlackBerry Phone
BlackBerry, directed and co-written by Matt Johnson alongside Matt Miller, takes a lighthearted approach in chronicling the rise and fall of RIM, the Canadian-based company behind the world’s first smartphone. Known for their dark humor, Johnson and Miller once went undercover as a documentary film crew to gather information for their film Operation Avalanche. While the movie shouldn’t be taken too seriously, it loosely traces RIM’s journey in revolutionizing the use of cell phones worldwide.
While the main characters in the film share names with key figures in RIM’s BlackBerry development, former employees were left disappointed as their personalities and roles were drastically altered beyond recognition. Many RIM employees expressed their dissatisfaction with the way the storyline unfolded. However, former co-CEO Jim Balsillie, played by Glenn Howerton from It’s Always Sunny, embraced the spoof aspect of the film and even gave interviews to the Canadian press when it was released in May 2023, considering it more of a lighthearted “roast”.
9. Joy’ – The Invention Of The Self-Wringing Mop
The Miracle Mop, invented by Joy Mangano, became the subject of her biopic, “Joy,” which she collaborated on with director David O. Russell. While some details were changed to make the main character more compelling, the film largely depicts Mangano’s real-life struggle to get her detachable, self-wringing mop featured on TV shopping networks.
As a teenager, Mangano faced a setback when a company stole her unpatented fluorescent dog collar, causing her to lose out on profits. Determined to achieve personal success, she made a promise to herself that her next big idea would be a game-changer. Despite her divorce from her first husband, Tony Miranne, they remained committed to her company, with Miranne continuing to work for her even after their split. It was only when Mangano personally appeared on QVC that she found success in sales for her innovative household tool.
10. The Wind Rises’ – The Invention Of The A5M And A6M Zero Fighter Planes
Hayao Miyazaki’s The Wind Rises transports viewers to 1940s Japan, where we follow the dream of aviation engineer Jiro Horikoshi to create the A6M Zero fighter plane. While Miyazaki takes some creative liberties by introducing a love story amidst Jiro’s growing passion for flight, the plotline remains rooted in actual events from Horikoshi’s life. These events ultimately led him to develop a plane that would become infamous for its devastating impact on Pearl Harbor and the war.
The film delves into the internal struggle faced by the engineer, who grapples with his pacifist beliefs and his desire to create something beautiful.
