My Latest Barn Find- Literally

[EdisonWizard]

Wow that is very cool. How did the arc light work? Was it a battery set up or a more standard supply? Also wonder if it was DC, very interesting piece.

[phonohound]

I didn't use the arc lamp when I ran it. I used an older 1980s vintage slide project as the light source. I don't have a way of getting current to the arc lamp. It was neat to see it work though.

[Henry]

I found this very interesting article on arc lighting: http://www.edisontechcenter.org/ArcLamps.html

Seems like acetylene would be more practical!

[Jerry B.]

Can we stop in St. Louis and watch some movies? Do we have to wait until next year?

Jerry Blais

[howardpgh]

The light source looks like a gas light rather than an arc light. Do you think it worked like the carbide gas headlights on the antique cars. The burners look similar.
I wonder how bright it was to project an image.

[StL Bill]

Thanks Ken. Yes, I do have an example from the 1907-8 period. Bill, I'd be happy to help answer any questions you might have. My model was pulled from the People's Theater in Blissfield, MI. What makes this one special is it came with the accounting log book, showing theater operating costs, equipment needed, people's names, etc. It also came with glass lantern slides tailored for that specific theater audience. There is also a catalog for carbons and the lighthouse has an arc lamp for its source of light. The table the kinetoscope sits on is probably a custom table and there is also a non-Edison iris attachment that stops the light from reaching the film when closed. It also came with both original wood-core reels and original leather belt. The film reel is probably from the 40s and I actually ran it.

Here are some links to photos of when I first received it.

Your example is awesome and untouched. It will be nice to see it when restored.

Scott

http://webpages.charter.net/phonographs ... scope1.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/phonographs ... scope2.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/phonographs ... scope3.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/phonographs ... scope4.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/phonographs ... scope5.jpg

Scott; Thanks so much for posting the pictures of your projector. If you compare the two projector mechanisms, you will notice some differences. From my research so far, there were several differences in the Projecting Kinetoscopes over the years. If you don't mind, I am going to P.M. you soon with several questions. I appreciate your help

Bill

[StL Bill]

Can we stop in St. Louis and watch some movies? Do we have to wait until next year?

Jerry Blais

Jerry; You know that the Northwest contingent of the Forum ( You, Stan, Dan, Brice, etc.) are always welcome to visit here in St. Louis. It might be awhile before we will be able to watch any movies with this (if ever) . If you have time on the way to Union, stop by. If not, I look forward to seeing you guys at Union in June.

Bill

The light source looks like a gas light rather than an arc light. Do you think it worked like the carbide gas headlights on the antique cars. The burners look similar.
I wonder how bright it was to project an image.

The original burner in these projectors was a carbon-arc light that was powered by a electric transformer that came with the projector. I believe that you could get them either DC or Ac. The burner in my projector used an acetylene generator (mixing carbide and water to produce Acetylene gas) similar to the ones used to power the headlights on the early autos. I did not get one with the machine, but they can still be found. I do not know if I have enough nerve to ever fire one up though

Bill