Structures for Scenic and Panoramic Effects.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Oct., 1898-Accepted, 31st Dec., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Structures for Scenic and Panoramic Effects.
I, CHARLES M. HOLLINGSWORTH, of Newburgh, County of Orange, State of
New York, United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be par-
ticularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:
-
My invention relates to structures adapted for scenic and spectacular purposes
It also relates to the
and to means and mechanisms for operating the same.
form of said structures, and to the relation of the constituent parts.
The main object of the invention is to produce moving spectacular effects,
either by the rotation of the structure itself or of the spectacular portion of
the exhibit, or when the structure is composite, by the rotation of one or more
parts of the composite structure. To this end the single structure, or the parts
of the composite structure, are made with a circular horizontal cross-section,
and the scenic exhibits are arranged in the form of an annular belt or zone, all
such parts in the same combination being concentric, or having a common
geometric axis.
In the buildings hitherto constructed for displaying cycloramic or similar
effects, both the platform on which the spectator stands and the pictorial scene
are at rest, so that the spectator must travel around in order to see all parts
of the picture. Much of the life effect is thereby lost. In my arrangement,
however, the platform may remain fixed while the picturial portion moves, or
vice versa; or they may both move, and in the same or opposite directions. It
is evident that thereby a variety of effects may be produced, one of them being
the sensation of moving through a slowly or rapidly changing landscape. By
means of these relative motions a larger number of spectators will be able to
view the same panoramas, and without moving about."
The external surface of the structure may also be capable of spectacular effects,
and this by giving to it a striking form and appearance, and combining there-
with a motion of rotation. For instance, if the structure be in the form of an
immense, nearly perfect globe upon the surface of which are painted in colors
and relief the various divisions of the earth's surface, and a slow movement of
rotation imparted therto, the effect of so massive a rotation cannot fail to im-
press the spectator.
At night a fine effect may be given to the globe by outlining the various
features with electric lights."
In the accompanying drawings I have shown various forms and modifications
of my invention, and the manner in which it is carried into effect and operated.
Fig. 1, Sheet 1, shows a form that may be given to the structure when it is
erected in an open space, and this form is especially adapted for expositions
are desired. In this construction A
where massive and striking effects
represents the greater part of a nearly perfect, sphere, upon which may be
painted in natural colors and in proper relief the various features of the surface
of the earth or of the planets. At the lower part the spherical form is not carried

page_text: .
out to completeness, this part of the structure being made cylindrical to give
the whole stability on its foundations. Surrounding this cylindrical part is a
supplementary base, B, in the form of an embankment, which leaves only the
spherical part of the main structure in view above its top, thus giving it the
appearance of a complete globe with the lower part hidden from view, as the sun
or full moon appears when not quite risen above the horizon. At night the
outlines of the seas and continents may be marked off by various colored electric
lights. Pyrotechnical displays can be given from various parts of the sphere,
volcanoes can be shown in action, and all this combined with the slow rotation
of the sphere, having a diameter, of say, 60 metres, cannot fail to make the
structure a most striking feature of any exhibition. Lighting and ventilation
of the interior are readily provided for."
Various modifications of the composite structure are possible, and Fig. 2 shows
a vertical section of one form of the invention. In this drawing A represents
the outside cevering, which may be of any suitable material, B, the same as
in Fig. 1. This figure shows a composite structure, two portions of which are
capable of rotation, either in the same or opposite directions, and at the same
or different speeds, the main frame and its floors being fixed. The skeleton
of the structure may be of iron, steel, or wood, after the style of modern steel
frame buildings. In the drawing b, b, are the upright supports and a, a, a, the
floors of the various stories or galleries into which the structure may be divided.
These stories are reached' either by ordinary stairways, or by the elevators 1, 1.
The outside wall of the main structure A, is movably supported on the fixed
frame by means of the carrying rails or girders d, d; secured to its inner sur-
face, and resting on the wheels c, c, c, mounted in suitable positions on the
frame. The rollers serve to give lateral stability. The internal structure C
is movably mounted on its own foundation, and revolves on its rollers c.
Motion is imparted to both these parts of the composite structure by any proper
.means. I have shown the motive power as electric motors E, E, which drive
the outside wall A directly by a belt and pulley and the internal structure C,
by the intermediation of cog-wheels f and the shaft
9.
"
The internal surface of A can have the panoramic or other spectacular views
attached directly to the curved surface of the shell, as shown at h, or they can
be vertically attached, at at i, i. j, j, are frames or screens designed to conceal
the edges of the painted scenery, and the adjacent bare wall from the view,
the spectators remaining at a suitable distance from the picture. To illumi-
ate the building diffused daylight from the top may be used, 01. artificial
illumination, and to secure a strong direct light on the scenes I have shown
small incandescent lamps with reflectors, k, k. On the top of the inside struc-
ture, C, I have arranged a platform E, that may be used for the musicians, for
variety performances, or for mechanically moving figures or effects, and in the
upper stories of the external structure I have shown rows of seats for the spec-
tators. As an additional feature I have arranged in the top centre of the
internal structure a large globe D (say 5 metres in diameter) designed to repre-
sent the earth. This is supported by fine steel wires, so that the supports may
not be visible, and is inclined on its axis the same amount as the earth. It is
illuminated throughout half its extent by a bed of lamps m, and being con-
nected by proper mechanism with the moving and fixed parts of the composite
structure turns with them, and furnishes an accurate representation of the
causes of the changes of the earth's seasons and the succession of day and night.
Fig. 2, shows in detail the method of suspension and revolving mechanism;
a¹ is the principal supporting wire, the fine wires, and r, r, the ball bearings
on which it rotates about its axis; a¹¹ is the belt for communicating the motion
of rotation to the globe D. When now the motors are started the outside shell A
will revolve, carrying along the scenes h, or i, attached thereto, and the specta-
tors on the various galleries a, of the fixed portion of the composite structure
will see a moving panorama pass in review before their eyes, and will be able

page_text: to see the whole of it without moving from their positions. At the same time
the internal structure C will begin to move.
The internal structure C, has only one floor .r, on a level with the lower floor
of the main structure. 2,2,2, serve both as girders and as annular shelves
on which exhibits may be placed and viewed by the spectators as the structure
turns.
When the internal structure begins to revolve the bevel friction wheel n and
pulley m, will turn by friction against the stationary part of the structure, and
communicate their motion to the belt and thereby rotate the globe D.
To provide ventilation without injuring the spherical contour of the struc-
ture, I employ wire gauze over the portion shown at 7. As rain will penetrate
the gauze, I make the upper floor 61 61 sloping outward, and provide holes for
the rain to flow down the outside of the structure A.
As the floor G C is the portion used for pyrotechnic and similar displays, it
should be stationary as regards the openings that will be temporarily made in
the wire gauze portion 7, 7; I therefore make the floor 61 61 integral with the
revolving external covering A, and support it thereto by means of stays, as
shown at 6, 6.
There would be a choice between the method now described and an alternative
method of supporting one of the structures so as to make it capable of rotation,
namely, by providing it with a suitable hull at its base and floating it, in an
annular basin of water. This I have illustrated in Sheet 3, Fig. 3. In Fig. 3
the outside structure is shown floating in a properly constructed reservoir E.
The internal structure is stationary, and the entire external structure is movable.
Moreover, I have in this figure provided separate means for revolving the
panoramic views i, i. This is accomplished by the motors E¹ El. The scenery
is suspended on pulleys p, p, by circular carrying rails g. 9, motion is imparted
to the pulleys p, by the belt o, moved by the motors E, and the scenery is
caused to travel around the spectators. The external floating structure is caused
to revolve by the motor X, and attracts the attention of the outside beholder.
**
At first view it might perhaps appear that this mode or means of movably
supporting the globe would be impracticable, owing to the fact that too great
a displacement of the main floor of the building would take place with reference
to the ground as the building became loaded with the weight of the spectators.
But the force of buoyancy depends upon the extent of submergence of a floating
body below the water line. In proportion as the basin of water in which a body
floats is reduced in horizontal dimensions approximately to the size of the
floating body, increased submergence with increase of load upon the floating
body, is more and more effected through the forcing up of the water level with
but little descont of the floating body. I have calculated that for a globe
50 metres in diameter, with an annular basin 15 metres wide between its inner
and outer walls, and with a clearance for the hull" of 25 centimetres on each
side, the depression produced by the weight of 5,000 people would be seawcely
more than one centimetre. That is to say, the weight of 5,000 people would
produce a depression of the globe so small as to be practically imperceptible.
Sheet 4, Fig. 4, is a plan of Fig. 3, and shows the method of revolving the
structure. The method of keeping the globe "centered" and away from con-
tact with the walls of the basin, and at the same time communicating motion
to it consists in passing three separate wire cables t, t, t, around the lower part
of the floating structure, each cable also passing around a pulley or sheave
suitably mounted at the side of the globe. These sheaves are shown at s, Fig. 4.
The three sheaves would be located at equal angular distances apart, viz.: 120°
apart around the centre of the structure or of rotation. These sheaves would be
driven by a motor or motors X. Against the sides of the movable structure
would be placed cleats Figs. 4, and 4*, having grooves u, in which the cables t
would be held. In this manner an even motion would be imparted to the struc-

page_text: ture and at the same time it would be accurately "centered." In Fig. 4, 1,
and 3 designate the entrances to the structure.
2
In the preceding figures, I have shown the outside of the building as movable,
and this would be advisable, as adding to the effect, when plenty of space is
available, and the situation or occasion is such as to warrant large expenditure
of money. But I have also devised other arrangements, suited for ordinary
permanent structures and more moderate expenditure.
Fig. 5, Sheet 5, shows a structure in which the globe shape is not used, and
in which the external shell A of the building is stationary. In this figure the
internal structure C is movable on ball bearings, w, w, and the scenic effects i, i,
are also caused to revolve before and about the spectators situated in the various
galleries a, a, . This motion is produced by the motors X, X, which, acting
Through the belts, o, o, upon the pulleys p, p, cause the scenic effects i, i, to
revolve upon the carrying rails 9, 7. I cause the revolution of the internal
structure C, by means of the shaft g, and the pulley and cog-wheels b. 11 show
the means for lighting during the day. To add to the beauty of the display, I
may introduce, through the pipe 2, a fountain 4, proper means being provided
for the water from the fountain passing off through the pipe 3. The foun-
tain 4 is made so as to revolve and the spectator on the galleries a, a, would
imagine himself to be carried around. He would, of course, be at rest, but as
one would scarcely expect to see a fountain with all its water revolving, the
result would be the illusion of being carried around himself. The discharge
pipe 5, is fixed to the bottom of the basin 8, and revolves with it. The supply
pipe 7 is fixed, but at the top has a swivel joint 6, and the nozzle part above
the basin is fixed in the waste-pipe 5. The packed or swivel joint allows it to
turn upon the lower part of the supply pipe.
Figure 6, Sheet 6, represents a still simpler and cheaper form of structure.
In this form, there is only one structure, and this is stationary. The scenic
effects i, i, are alone caused to revolve by means of the motor X, belts o, o,
pulleys p, and suspending carrying rails 2. a, a, as before represent, the
galleries of the structures, and 4 the entrance and staircases for mounting to
the several stories.
A modification that can be made in Fig. 5 consists in removing the internal
structure C, preserving the spherical form for the outside, and making the ex-
ternal shell revolvable, as in Figure 2.
Sheet 7, Fig. 7, shows a plan view of Fig. 6, in which the various parts are
similarly numbered, 5, 5, 5, represent entrances.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. A structure for spectacular or scenic purposes made in the shape of an
incomplete globe, substantially as set forth."
2. A structure for spectacular or scenic effects, having its major portion in
the shape of a sphere, and the remaining lower portion a cylinder, substan-
tially as set forth.
3. In a structure for spectacular or scenic effects, the combination of an
incomplete globe and a supplementary base portion serving as means of entrance
and containing the machinery for operating the structure.
4. In a structure for spectacular and scenic effects, the combination of a
building in the form of an incomplete globe capable of rotation on its axis,
a base for said globe and means for revolving said globe on its axis, substan-
tially as set forth.
5. A structure for spectacular or scenic effect built in the shape of a globe,
whose external spherical surface is decorated to represent the earth, or any
celestial body and capable of rotation on its axis, substantially as set forth.

page_text: 6. A composite structure for spectacular or scenic effects, composed of two
portions each capable of motion around a common geometric axis, in the same
or opposite directions and means for producing said motion around the common
axis.
7. A structure for spectacular or scenic effects, the external shell of which
is decorated on the internal surface and which is capable of rotation
axis.
on its
8. A structure for spectacular or scenic effects composed of three separate
portions, 1st, a revolvable external shell forming the covering for the whole
structure, 2nd, a main stationary portion, and 3rd, a revolvable central portion,
substantially as set forth.
9. In a structure for spectacular or scenic purposes, the combination of a
revolvable external structure having on its inner surface the scenic effects to
be exhibited, means for causing the external structure to revolve, and means
for supporting the said revolvable portion, substantially as set forth.
?
10. In a scenic structure, the combination of a series of fixed galleries.
series of panoramic views attached to the inner surface of a revolvable spherical
roof, a series of carrying-rails attached to said spherical roof, rollers attached
to the supporting framework of said structure, rollers and bearing rails for
resisting lateral displacement, and means for revolving the movable portion
carrying the scenic effect.
11. In a composite structure for scenic effect the combination of a stationary
main structure, a revolvable internal structure supporting a planetary globe,
means for supporting at proper inclination the said globe, mechanism for trans-
mitting motion to said globe from the stationary to the movable structure,
and means for illuminating about one-half of the said globe, and thereby illus
trating the various changes of the seasons and the succession of day and night.
12. A structure for scenic effects composed of a revolvable spherical enclosure
and a stationary internal structure.
13. A composite structure for scenic effects, the revolvable portion of the
same being floated in water.
14. In a composite structure for scenic effects, the combination of spherical
portion floated in water, a fixed internal structure, and means for producing
rotation of the external structure.
15. In a composite structure one portion of which is floated in water, the
combination of a motor, and means for simultaneously centering the floated
portion and producing rotation of the floated portion.
16. In a structure designed for scenic effects, the combination of a stationary
main portion, suspended movable scenery and means for revolving said scenery.
17. In a panoramic structure, the combination of circular carrying rails sup-
porting the scenic effects, grooved wheels for said carrying-rails and motors for
revolving the rails and scenery.
18. In a composite structure for scenic effects, the combination of a stationary
main structure, movable scenery, a central separately movable structure and
means for revolving simultaneously both the scenery and the central structure.
19. In a structure for scenic effects, a simple stationary structure having one
or more floors, revolvably suspended scenery and means for producing rotation
of the said movable scenery.
20. In a composite structure for scenic effects, the combination of a stationary
main structure, movable scenery, a rotating fountain basin, a waste pipe attached
thereto, a nozzle connected to said waste pipe and revolving by means of a swivel
joint upon a stationary supply pipe, substantially as set forth.
21. In a composite structure for scenic effects, the combination of a stationary
main structure, a rotating fountain basin, a waste pipe attached thereto, and a
nozzle turning by a swivel upon a stationary supply pipe.
22. A spherical structure for scenic effects having at its upper part a venti-

page_text: lating zone the external covering of which is wire gauze, in combination with a
sloping floor situated beneath said ventilating zone and means for carrying off
the water penetrating the wire gauze, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 17th day of October 1898.
For the Applicant,
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.