Here are some key points to consider:
* Ancient Roots: Slapstick elements are found in ancient theater, from Greek comedies like Aristophanes to Roman mimes. Physical humor, pratfalls, and exaggerated movements have always been part of human comedic expression.
* Commedia dell'arte: This Italian theatrical tradition, which emerged in the 16th century, heavily featured physical comedy and stock characters like Harlequin and Pierrot, who used slapstick routines. This is often seen as a major influence on modern slapstick.
* 19th Century: With the rise of vaudeville and music halls, slapstick became a popular form of entertainment. Performers like Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd helped solidify slapstick as a major film genre in the early 20th century.
So, while we can't definitively say when slapstick "began," it's safe to say it's been around for centuries, evolving and adapting to different cultural contexts.
If you're looking for a specific date, you could argue that the emergence of commedia dell'arte in the 16th century marked a significant turning point in the development of slapstick comedy as we know it.