The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-27

employ steadily young woman whose work
is confined exclusively to the painting of
In Japan Good work is also done in
France, while the English slide is apt TO be
coarse To fully comprehend the wonderful
necessary to recall the old-time hand-re-
volving panorama and the oil-painted dis
solving views of the Stoddard lecture Mr..
Stoddard among the first to reveal to
the public the possibilities of the camera.
The improvements made in it's construction
during the past few years are great. In the
manufacture of the camera the United
States leads the world. 1T IS difficult to
identify the perfected camera of the present
with the toy magic lantern of the past. The
modern camera is so constructed that it oc-
cupies the least possible space without sac
rifcing stability or scope of usefulness.
USE OF ELECTRICITY.
Electricity has given great impetus to the
perfection of the camera and the spread Of
its use. Electricity made possible camera
that keeps the light automatically centered.
This is an American invention. The auto
maticaly centered light with a system Of
lenses brings the lantern into successful
use for scientists and for day work in
schools. The rooms need not be totally
darkened, thus enabling the students to
take notes while the lecturer demonstrates
the subject under discussion. This feature
has been brought about in the last two
three years. 1t promises to have an i'm
portant bearing on educational work.
the object can be projected any desired dis
lance is another important device. In col
lege work the simple camera may be en-
riched by microscopic and chemical tanks
until the finest scientific result is possible.
The camera is largely used in medical
schools. Photography makes it possible to
get impressions of the most complex bodily
constructions, and the camera throws up
the same for optical example.
4 The development and spread Of the cam
erab especially for pictorial entertainment,
has given rise to the professional operator
There are six men in New York who give
their time to it exclusively. In the BUSY
sea n-mdwinter-they employ quite an
army of assistants, men employed other
wise during the day, but eager to add TO
their income by an evenings engagement.
Prices for a good operator range from
IS to $40 within the city limits. The operator
furnishes the camera, goes to the place OF
entertainment in advance. adjusts screens.
and has everything in readiness for the
speaker.
LECTURERS ASSISTANT.
The operator is to the lecturer what the
accompaniment is to the singer. On his in
telligence, quickness of touch. sympathy
and artistic fitness the lecturer is almost
wholly dependent for the smoothness of the
performance Most travelling lecturers own
their own camera. and often il is operated
by their wives Debarring the physical
strength often essential to the adjustment
of screens. handling of gas tanks at the
operation of a camera seems particularly
suitable work to a woman. Her natural
duickness deftness and artistic feeling are
paramount qualities. The pay is liberal
when the time is considered for rarely does
a lecture extend over an hour. a young
American girl who lived In China as a mis-
sionary and is now in charge or Chinese
mission in Doyer street gave last winter
a series of illustrated lectures on Chinese
missions. The camera was operated oy
woman
The extent and variety of uses TO which
the camera is put these days Is best reveal
ed at the downtown stereoptlcon SHOPS All
day men and women of all ages ana classes
come and go some 10 rent slides, others 10
return them In boxes they line the walls,
like books in a library Edch bO& Is laDeleu
with the subject. Every country IS repre-
scented. Art and Biblical subjects are popu-
lar. The catalogue gives the number and
title of each slide. ana the customer looks
up his own wants. In black and white
a slide may be purchased for 50 cents; in
colors for 81 So while from 81 TO 81 a slide
will be made to order.s The text of lectures
may be purchased for % cents copy The
price paid for original manuscript is $50.
The cle.gy have taken TO the camera with
aviditS With equal facility does the camera
, step fl N the pulpit TO the mart The great
distance with which an object can be pro-
iected is now invaluable 10 the advertiser.
Throwning election retuPnS on screen in
the open street has led 10 all sorts OF stere-
opticon advertising devices.
So wonderful are the facilities and the
possibilities of the illustrated lecture that
i ii has become fad with many people OK
wealth. Recently woman of wealth had
some two hundred coloTed slides made OF
| Russian views. commemorative her visit 10
| gorgeous gown she wore 10 the ceremony.
she delivered her lecture 10 an audience ~
/ evening dress that paid large admission
Zee, The recelpts went 10 charity.