Oh ok, I was aware that there were putative wide screen formats before the standard Scope format came into general use. Napoleon was the one I always associated with it. Just like there were various early attempts at color but 1935's Becky Sharp was the first film in the color process that's went into widespread use.
Um why do you think that Disney is investing in the DVD format by reauthoring all their older library films like Bambi and converting them to 16x9? Because its all profit. I wouldn't worry about the films put out in the 40s and 50s and them only being available in full frame.