The Early Years: 1913-1940

What could be considered the genesis of the Instructional Systems Technology department began at IU in 1913 when an exhibit entitled "Loan Exhibition of Pictures" was presented on campus. This collection consisted of 14 standard size lantern sets.

The following year, the first mention of visual services at IU appeared in the Extension Division Bulletin as part of the Visual Instruction department. This department was created for the purpose of distributing visual aids to off-campus groups.

During World War One, the American government also became aware of the value of visual instruction. Silent films were used to inform citizens about the war effort as well as for military training. Motion pictures became a popular source of information and entertainment for everyone. A major outcome of the technical development and use of motion pictures was the increased use of films for educational purposes. J.J. Pettijohn and W.S. Bittner worked in Visual Instruction at IU and worked with the United States government during the war helping to develop similar materials for the Federal Division of Educational Extension and the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Following the war and the apparent success of the use of film, the department of Visual Instruction was expanded. The government also donated a huge amount of film and lantern slides to the Visual Instruction department.

In the 1920's, the amount of leftover film and lantern slides donated by the government increased. In 1922, visual education classes were first listed in the school bulletin. The following year, the name Bureau of Visual Instruction was assigned to the department.

The Great Depression had a big impact upon the department as well. This was evidenced by the reduced amount of motion pictures and lantern slides that were distributed by IU. Income from the distribution of these materials decreased through the middle of the decade.

By the end of the decade, due to an increased use of films by teachers, schools, clubs and other groups, distribution began to increase again.