What technological advancement led to the decline of silent films?

The advent of sound technology is the key factor that led to the decline of silent films. In the late 1920s, innovations such as the Vitaphone system allowed filmmakers to synchronize sound with motion pictures, which significantly enhanced the viewing experience. The first widely successful sound film, "The Jazz Singer," released in 1927, showcased the potential of combining audio with visual storytelling, captivating audiences and quickly changing industry standards.

This technological breakthrough meant that audiences began to prefer films with synchronized dialogue, music, and sound effects. As studios embraced sound films, the silent film format quickly fell out of favor, as both filmmakers and viewers recognized the expressive possibilities that sound added to cinematic storytelling. Consequently, the transition to sound significantly reshaped Hollywood and its production practices, leading to the rapid decline of silence in cinema.