IMPROVEMENTS IN THE EXHIBITION
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Sparkhall, of 142, Cheapside, in the City of
London, Printer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE EXHIBITION
Sealed the 27th April 1855, and dated the 10th February 1855.
PROVISIONAL. SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Sparkhall at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
10th February 1855.
I, EDWARD SPARKHALL, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE EXHIBITION OF PICTORIAL REPRESENTATIONS OF VARIOUS
SUBJECTS" to be as follows :-
My said improvements or improved methods of exhibiting pictorial represen-
tations of land, sea, and other views, either by painted scenery, magic lantern,
or other optic glasses, consists,-
Firstly, of scenes revolving or moving laterally on either side of the
spectator in circuitous converging, diverging, or parallel directions.
Secondly, in a movement of transparent or other scenery, horizontally,
rectangularly, or obliquely, in any direction above the spectator.
Thirdly, of a moving platform or floor, for the accomodation of the
spectators, vibrating, oscillating, or gyrating, at the option of the exhibitor.
I do not herein set forth the details of the means or mechanism for carrying

page_text: into effect the above methods, as my Invention does not consist in any
particular or peculiar arrangements of mechanism, but in the herein-before
described methods of exhibiting pictorial representations of various subjects by
any suitable arrangements, the details whereof will be obvious to all practical
men after what has been stated as to the movements required to be produced.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Edward Sparkhall in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
10th August 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDWARD
SPARKHALL, of 142, Cheapside, in the City of London, Printer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the eighteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Edward Sparkhall, my executors, administrators, and assigns, Her special
licence that I, the said Edward Sparkhall, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said Edward Sparkhall, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man,
an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE EXHIBITION OF PICTORIAL REPRESENTA-
TIONS OF VARIOUS SUBJECTS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said Edward Sparkhall, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same
to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Edward Sparkhall, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
The nature of my said Invention, which has already been intimated generally
by the Provisional Specification, filed on application for the said Letters
Patent, is, in compliance with the aforesaid condition in the said Letters
Patent, hereby described as follows :—

page_text: My Invention consists in improvements in the exhibition, that is, in the
mode, manner, method or methods of exhibiting pictorial or scenographic
representations of land, sea, and other views, either by painted scenery, or
by the reflection of such representations through painted glasses, and by means
5 of such glasses and reflecting lanterns commonly known as magic lanterns;
whereby,
Firstly, I can exhibit scenes, revolving vertically, or moving and passing
laterally in curvilinear, diverging, or parallel directions on either side of the
spectator, presenting to observation simultaneously, or at one and the same
time, or otherwise, representations of the northern and southern hemi-
spheres of the heavens, as also of the objects and views on both sides of any
road, street, avenue, river, strait, estuary, bay, or harbour, or of any gallery,
hall, or vestibule of any temple, palace, cathedral, or other building, that I
may think I proper so to represent or exhibit; and whereby,
Secondly, I can exhibit scenes or representations of objects moving or
passing horizontally or obliquely above the spectator, thereby representing
the dome or ceiling of any temple, palace, mosque, cathedral, hall, gallery,
room, or other building, or part of a building, that I may think proper so to
represent or exhibit.
Thirdly, another part of my Invention consists of a motary platform, stage,
or floor, whereby I can represent or imitate the deck of a ship or vessel
partaking of the oscillating and swaying motion of a ship or vessel at sea,
commonly known as pitching, rolling, and dipping.
Having thus particularly described the nature of my said Invention, I now
proceed, in further compliance with the aforesaid condition in the said Letters
Patent, to particularly describe and ascertain in what manner the same is to be
performed, wherein I shall refer to the Drawings accompanying this Specification
by the words, figures, and letters following, that is to say:-
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Drawing No. 1 is a view of a pictorial representation according to my
Invention, shewing scenery moving or passing laterally on either side of the
spectators, represented as in position in the foreground, and on the vessel, in
the said view or pictorial representation; in explanation of which, it is to be
understood that that portion of the scene on view extending from the dotted
line in the centre or middle of the Drawing to the margin of it on the right-
hand side is a portion of a long scene or series of views, painted or represented
on a sheet or piece of canvas or other suitable material, which moves or passes
from front to back on the right-hand side of the spectators; and the portion of

page_text: the scene or view extending from the dotted line in the centre or middle to
the margin on the left-hand side is a portion of a long scene or series of
views, painted or represented on another sheet or piece of canvas or other
suitable material, which moves or passes from front to back on the left-hand
side of the spectators, as is more particularly shewn in the vertical Drawing
No. 2, which represents one side of the scenery in Drawing No. 1, and will
answer as a representation for the other side.
In said Drawing (No. 2), A, B, is a drum or roller, placed vertically, and
revolving on a pivot at the end B, and in another pivot at the other end A;
C, D, E, is a flange, or circular plate of wood, fixed upon the drum or roller
A, B, horizontally, or at right angles therewith, and is supported by rods of
iron (two rods only, being marked *, *), extending from the pivot A to the
circumference of the flange C, D, E. At the under surface or under side
of this flange are fixed a number of iron hooks in concentric circles. At any
distance from the roller A, B, that may be required to be occupied by
scenery moving or passing on one side of the spectator is placed another
drum or roller F, G, similar in every respect to the drum or roller A, B.
The canvas or sheet on which is represented the scenery or series of views
intended to be exhibited is in the first instance rolled upon the drum or roller
F, G, and moves or passes from and off of that roller to, and is rolled upon, the
roller A, B. The canvas or scene in passing from the one roller to the other
is supported in its whole length by means of an iron or brass rod a, a, supported
upon and secured to brackets connected with the wall, ceiling, or to posts, such
rod extending between and on a level with the two flanges or circular plates
of wood, described as upon the rollers, and by hooks of brass or iron attached
to the upper edge of the canvas by pieces of tape or string at convenient and
proper distances throughout or along the whole length of canvas intended to be
exhibited. These hooks are sustained by and travel or slide upon the iron or
brass rod together with and at the same time that the canvas is passing from
one roller to the other. Should the scenery have to pass in the directions
represented in Drawing No. 3, Fig. 1 or 3, as hereafter stated, in referring
thereto, this rod must be curved, so as to allow the scenery so to pass from one
roller to the other. As the canvas is being rolled up, or taken up by the
roller A, B, in order to prevent its swaying or falling down from the top of
the roller, it is to be occasionally, and as often as is necessary, hooked on to
the hooks depending from the under surface of the flange or circular plate
C, D, E, by means of the hooks attached to the upper edge of the canvas, by
which it was kept up and sustained on the iron or brass rod whilst moving or
passing from one roller to the other. The hooks in the wooden flange of

page_text: roller F, G, serve in like manner and by the same means to support the canvas
whilst rolled or being rolled on that roller.
Drawing No. 3 represents the ground plans of the same as nearly as may
be. In the said plans, the lines on the right hand, denoted by the letters a, b,
exhibit the scenery which passes from the drums or rollers A 1, to the drums
or rollers A 2. The lines on the left hand, denoted by the letters e, f, exhibit the
scenery which passes from the drums or rollers B1 to the drums or rollers B2.
The drums or rollers C, C, in Fig. 1, and D, D, in Fig. 3, are intended to
compress the canvass, and keep the scenery in the proper position when moving
from one roller to the other.
Having thus far described the construction and arrangement of scenery, and
the mode or method and means of exhibiting scenery or pictorial represen-
tations moving or passing on one side of the spectator, it is only necessary to say
that a similar arrangement and machinery will serve for exhibiting such
scenery or representations on the other side of the spectator.
The representation of scenery moving or passing laterally on either side of
spectator by means of painted glasses and reflecting or magic lanterns I shall
explain, as follows:-
On two frames, of wood or other material, and of the length and width
required for the scenery exhibited at one time, must be extended or stretched
transparent screens of silk, muslin, or other transparent material. These
screens are placed in vertical positions, and parallel to each other or otherwise,
one on each side of the spectator at any convenient or required distance.
On these screens may be exhibited, by means of painted glasses and reflect-
ing or magic lanterns, views or series of views moving or passing on each side
of the spectator in continuous succession in the manner and by the means
described, as follows:-
A, B, C, D, (Drawing No. 4) is a bench or table, at each end of which is a
roller A, D, and B, C. These rollers are parallel to each other, and so placed
that the top of each roller is level with the upper surface of the bench or table.
e,f, is a girth or chain, which passes from one roller to the other in one direc-
tion upon the flat surface or top of the table, and in the opposite direction
beneath and under the top of the table, in the manner of an endless wheel
band, girth, or chain. To put this band in motion in a direction from e to f,
and from f to e, a crank is attached to one end of one of the rollers, as at A,
but this crank may be indifferently attached to either end of either roller, or
such a crank may be used with each roller.
On the girth, chain, or band e, f, are placed magic lanterns, which move
therewith. The number of lanterns used will depend upon or be in proportion

page_text: to the length of scene intended to be at one time exhibited, and also to the
reflecting power or circle of reflection of the glasses of the lanterns; and by a
continuous succession of these lanterns (at the same time changing or altering
the sliders) any length of view or scenery may be represented.
The benches or tables herein described are to be placed at the back, or on
the opposite side of the vertical screens to that on which the spectator is
placed, and are to be placed in a horizontal position, and parallel to the surface
of the screens, at such a distance therefrom as may be necessary for casting
the whole disc of reflection of the magic lanterns upon them, or at any lesser
distance that may be thought more suitable for effecting the representation.
For the exhibition of scenery revolving or gyrating vertically on either side
of the spectator, according to my Invention, two transparent screens, which
may be similar in construction to those I have already described, are to be
placed in parallel or diverging directions with respect to each other, one on
either side of the spectator. Upon these screens, by means of such magic
lanterns and revolving sliders as are at present in general use, may be repre-
sented simultaneously, or at one and the same time, the northern and southern
hemispheres of the heavens, or any portion of them, revolving on either side of
the spectator, or such other objects or views as may be thought proper to be so
exhibited.
The movement of scenery for exhibiting representations of domes or ceilings
of buildings, or other pictorial representations, moving or passing above the
spectator, I describe as follows:-Drawing No. 5, Fig. 1, A, A, represents one
of a number of beams or girders of wood or iron extending across from one
sire to the other of the building, in which the pictorial representations are to
be exhibited. a, b, c, d, is an iron rod, forming a double bracket, sustained by
the beam or girder. The parts a, b, and c, d, of this bracket, as shown by the
Drawing, are, respectively, about six feet long, or may be of any convenient
length, according to the distance of the beam or girder from the intended
height of the suspended scene. The part b, c, measures eighteen inches, and
there is about two feet six inches distance between the points a aud d, at the top,
where they are fastened to the beams or girders, though these dimensions here
given admit of variation, according to circumstances. Upon and by the hori-
zontal bottom part b, c, of this bracket is sustained a floor of wood, eighteen
inches wide and one inch and a half thick. This floor may extend horizontally
or obliquely the whole length in any direction of the area or space intended to
be occupied by the moveable scenery, and be supported in all its length by a
sufficient number of brackets, as here described; and a suflicient number of
these floors so supported are to be placed at from about five feet to ten feet, or

page_text: any convenient distance from each other, across or along the space or area
intended to be occupied by the scenery passing above the spectator. Drawing
No. 5, Fig. 1: B is a transverse section of a double pendant tram of iron,
which runs along the whole length underneath, and supported by the floor b, c.
This double tram consists of two pieces of flat or bar iron, about five inches
broad, parallel to each other, and about three inches apart. These bars of iron
are turned or inclined inwards towards each other, at right angles at the
bottom, but so as to leave a space of about half an inch between the bent or
inclined ends, which construction and arrangement is observed throughout their
whole length. C, C, Fig. 1, is a double roller, or two rollers or wheels con-
nected with each other by an axle. These wheels are each about an inch thick,
and about three inches in diameter, and move in and upon the double trams,
before described, and shewn at B, supporting in the middle, or by the axle
between the two wheels or rollers, a chain or cord of any length required; the
lower end of which chain or cord has a hook attached to it, by which it is at
option attached or hooked on to or removed from loops of tape or cord of
flexible or other material, affixed to the scenery or sheet of canvas or other
material passing above the spectator; as many of these double rollers with
hooks and chains aro used as may be found necessary to support the canvas,
ceiling, or dome, throughout its whole length and width. By these means any
practicable width or length of canvas, or screen of cotton, silk, or other textile
fabric, may be supported, and carried and moved any required length practi-
cable over and above the spectator, and on such canvas may be represented
the ceiling or dome, or a series of ceilings or donies of any temple or other
building, as also other views required to be so represented.
The purpose of the floors described as supported by the double iron brackets
is to allow a man or boy to pass along to any part above the suspended canvas
to adjust anything that may get wrong in the movement of the pulleys, chains,
or looks, as also to attend to the lights that may be placed above the moveable
ceiling for reflecting through any portion of it.
Two rollers, one at each end of the space or distance intended to be occupied
by the suspended scenery, will be required for coiling or winding it up. One
of these rollers I shall here describe, which description will also apply to the
other roller. Fig. 2, Drawing No. 5, K, K, is a wood roller, which may be
twenty-four inches in diameter, and of any length, (say, fifty feet), according to
the width intended to be occupied by the suspended scenery. This roller is
supported throughout its length by ten other wood rollers (L); one of these
also I shall describe, which description will apply to the others.
The length of this roller may be about nine feet, and the diameter about

page_text: four feet. There is an axle at each end, and at one end of each roller a
toothed wheel, somewhat less in diameter than the roller. Five of these
rollers are placed end to end, but with spaces of about fifteen inches between
every two of them, the whole thus extending about fifty feet, as shewn in
Drawing No. 5, Fig. 2. The other five rollers are similarly placed with
respect to each other, and the two lines of rollers thus formed are placed
parallel to each other in such manner that the toothed wheels on the ten rollers
may be worked by and acted upon by toothed wheels at corresponding distances
and coincident with them, fixed upon an iron shaft or axle M, Fig. 3, below
and between the two lines of rollers, as I shall hereafter describe. In the
spaces between the rollers, the axles affixed at each end of each roller are
supported by a framework (N), Fig. 3, of wood or iron, or other material,
having bearings of brass or other metal fixed in and upon it, in or upon which
the axles revolve.
The iron shaft M, mentioned above, has five toothed wheels fixed upon it,
at distances corresponding to, or coincident with, the toothed wheels of the two
lines of rollers, into and with which they work. This shaft is supported at
each end and at points half way between the toothed wheels upon it, by and
upon the same frames of wood or iron, which support the two lines of rollers,
and is put in motion by a crank or other leverage at one or both ends of the
shaft. Lengthways upon and between the two lines of rollers and in contact
with them the long roller K, K, is placed, as shewn at Fig. 2, Drawing No. 5.
The use of this long roller is to wind or coil up the scenery passing from front
to back or from side to side horizontally or obliquely above the spectator, and
is put in motion by the two lines of rollers on which it is placed, being moved
by the machinery beneath them.
In referring to Drawing No. 6, I shall describe the motary or oscillating
platform, as follows:-Platform No. 1, see Fig. 1, a, b, c, d, is a wooden plat-
form, represented in an inverted position to that which it is intended to occupy.
*,*,*,*,*,*, are six iron rockers, in form the segment of a circle. They are
indented or toothed on the top edge their whole length, and are fixed to the
platform, transversely to its length, extending across from one side to the other
of it parallel to each other. Platform No. 2, see Fig. 2, l, m, n, o, is another
platform of similar dimensions to platform No. 1, also represented in an inverted
position. To this platform are fixed three iron rockers, I, II, III, of similar
shape and construction to the rockers on platform No. 1, with toothed work in the
middle about one-third their length, such rockers extending longitudinally, or
from end to end of the platform, one along the middle and one on either side
parallel thereto; on the other side or surface of this platformı, six straight

page_text: iron trams with toothed work on the top, extending their whole length, are
place transversely to its length from one side to the other, parallel to
each other, and at distances corresponding to or coincident with the rockers
(*) at Fig. 1. Fig. 3, P, Q, is a bench, platform, or stage, placed upon
castors or rollers, which admit of its being moved horizontally in any direction.
On the top or upper surface of this stage or platform three straight iron
trams, with toothed work on the top edge in the middle for about one-third
their length, are placed longitudinally, or from one end to the other, one in the
middle and one on either side, parallel thereto, and at distances to correspond
to or coincide with the three iron-toothed rockers of platform No. 2, Fig. 2,
just described.
Having thus described the platforms and the bench or stage, I shall now
state that I invert the platform No. 2, and place it on the bench or stage
P, Q; I then invert the platform No. 1, and place it upon the platform No. 2,
as shewn in Fig. 3, in such manner that the rockers of the platform No. 1
rest and act upon the straight toothed trams of the platform No. 2, as shewn in
Fig. 3, Drawing No. 6, where P, Q, represents the stage placed upon castors,
and T, S, the platform No. 2, and t, v, the platform No. 1. W is an imitation
ship or vessel, placed at option on top of platform No. 1, or this platform may
form a part of the vessel. These plaforms, No. 1 and No. 2, are by sufficient
and proper leverage put in motion, No. 2 platform longitudinally, and plat-
form No. 1 laterally, thus giving to the platform No. 1, and the imitation
ship or vessel placed upon it, the apparent motion of a vessel or ship at sea
commonly known as pitching and rolling. On this platform No. 1, or on the
ship or vessel placed upon it, are seats for spectators to view the scenery.
The top of the platform should be so placed as to keep as level with the
floor of the building as may be.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I hereby declare
that I claim,
Firstly, the exhibition or representation in the manner described, that is,
the making or causing pictorial representations to revolve vertically or move
and pass laterally on either side of the spectator simultaneously or otherwise.
Secondly, exhibiting transparent or other scenery moving or passing horizon-
tally or obliquely in any direction above the spectator.
And, thirdly, a moving platform or floor for the accommodation of spectators,
vibrating, oscillating, or gyrating at the option of the exhibitors; it being
always understood that my Invention has reference to the mode or manner of
exhibiting pictorial representations of various subjects as set forth in this

page_text: Specification, and that the arrangements described are given simply in
exemplification of the means of carrying out the said Invention.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Sparkhall, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
Signed and sealed in my presence,
F. W CAMPIN,
Patent Office,
156, Strand.
E. SPARKHALL. (L.S.)