Researching opening title sequences

The history of opening title sequences: 

The very first examples of opening title sequences come from silent movies. It was done using non-animated title cards that included main information such as, crew credits, the title, and production credits; the cards were usually shown at the beginning of the film. 

These early title cards were often created by lettering artists employed by major studios and were typically presented with white lettering over a black background. However, they soon developed into including some minor decorations such as lines, outlines, or small drawings. Examples of early title cards can be seen by director D. W. Griffith. These title cards are one of the first examples of the early opening title sequence. 

David Wark Griffith included his signature in the two top corners of all his title cards. 

The title cards were photographed and then edited into the movie. As well as for the credits, they were also used for essential dialog if needed and setting the time and place for a new scene. 

As seen at the beginning of 'Intolerance' Directed by D. W. Griffith, the cards are up on the screen for around 10 seconds each, giving the audience enough time to read through the credits.

Production company logos and animations:

Production companies have hugely developed their logos and animations over many years to have more detail, to add colour and sound/music.

This is the 20th Century Fox movie animation from 1935. This very simple animation only includes moving lights with the rest of the background stationary. There is also no colour, however the original 20th Century Fox tune plays. 

This 20th Century Fox animation from 2011 has hugely developed as the 'camera' moves up and over the logo. There is now colour and much more detail. The music has also been refined but is still the original 20th Century Fox music.