History

Armand Spitz, Founder

Spitz was formed in 1945 by Dr. Armand Spitz. The company was the first in the world to develop an inexpensively-manufactured optical star projector for planetariums. The Spitz "A-1" projector revolutionized the planetarium industry and made it possible for schools and small museums to build dome presentation theaters for education and public entertainment.

Throughout the 50's and 60's, Spitz continued to develop projection systems for schools, museums and attractions and began to develop larger displays for prestigious planetariums in the US and around the world. By the 1960's Spitz installed over 500 systems, many of which are still in operation today.

By the early 1970's, Spitz had become the world's leading supplier of complete dome-theater installations, including the first large dome configuration with a tilted dome, computer controlled projection instrument and computerized theater automation system. During this time Spitz was responsible for the development of the first domes for large-format film systems, and today supplies domes for Imax theaters worldwide.

During the 70's and 80's, Spitz began to develop advanced projection dome designs. Throughout the 1980's Spitz developed domes for educational and public installations (tilted, hypospheres and hemispheres), simulation screens for commercial and military purposes, and special screen coatings for planetariums, military simulators, large format film theaters and ride simulators.

In 1995 Spitz began the development of its immersive video group of products. In the fall of 1996 the first ImmersaVision theater was installed as part of a temporary exhibit of the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh. In May of 1997 Spitz opened its first ElectricSky theater at the Northern Lights Center in Watson Lake, Yukon Territory, Canada. The ESky video system was the most versatile and cost effective dome video system available in the world.

During the 90's, Spitz also branched into architectural design, specializing in spherical structures such as exterior architectural domes, spherical ceilings, interior panel systems and other specialized designs. Spitz architectural structures are installed at Sea World, Volkswagen Autostadt, Glasgow Science Centre, The Denver Museum of Nature and Science and the Forum Shops in Caesars Palace.

At present Spitz Incorporated is responsible for over 1,200 installations world wide and now provides theater development, consultation, engineering, manufacturing, integration and installation across a broad variety of theater and architectural applications.