IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUSES FOR EXHIBITING PHOTOGRAPHIC, STEREOSCOPIC, AND PICTURES, MODELS, FIGURES, AND DESIGNS
Year: 1860

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Peter Hubert Desvignes, of Lewisham, in the
County of Kent, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUSES FOR EXHIBITING PHOTOGRAPHIC, STEREOSCOPIC, AND
PICTURES, MODELS, FIGURES, AND DESIGNS."
Sealed the 24th August 1860, and dated the 27th February 1860.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Peter Ilubert Desvignes
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
27th February 1860.
I, PETER HUBERT DESVIGNES, of Lewisham, in the County of Kent, Gentle-
man, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUSES FOR EXHIBITING PHOTOGRAPHIC, STEREOSCOPIC, AND OTHER PICTURES,
MODELS, FIGURES, AND DESIGNS," to be as follows:-
The object of my Invention is to show in one apparatus a series of stereo-
scopic or other representations or models taken in different views, as if the
same or the things represented were in motion.
My apparatuses are cylindrical, and the cylinders are caused to rotate either
vertically or horizontally. To exhibit stereoscopic views I take a cylinder and
set it vertically in the interior in suitable frames provided for the purpose. I
Price

page_text: place, say, six, but there may be more or less stereoscopic slides; the periphery
of the cylinder has formed across it as many slots as there are sets of slides.
One or more glasses for viewing the pictures are supported and held
stationary outside of the periphery of the cylinder, or may be otherwise placed.
The views may represent, for-instance, a steam engine, and each view must be
taken when the engine is at different parts of its stroke. The views being
placed in the said cylinder, and the cylinder being caused to rotate, will shew
to the eye the steam engine as if in actual motion. The slides may be trans-
parent or opaque.
For exhibiting some models and drawings, I arrange them round a cylinder
placed and caused to rotate horizontally; vertical slots are made in the peri-
phery through which to see the models and drawings. Again, in some cases
1 fix a camera in front of a cylinder placed and made to revolve horizontally,
with a disc or discs provided with one or more apertures for the eye to see the
models or pictures through, the disc and cylinder being made to revolve, the
former vertically, and the other, as before stated, horizontally. Instead of a disc,
I sometimes use a cylinder with two or more apertures therein, or a movable
flap.
Again, in some cases 1 form endless bands of pictures, and cause them to
revolve over two rollers or cylinders vertically; a thin slot or slit is provided
between every two pictures in the band, and by looking through the slit while
the band revolves, the illusion takes place.
Again, I place ordinary pictures, models, patterns, figures, and designs
inside the periphery of a cylinder, and view them through a slot or slots cut
in the periphery while the cylinder is caused to rotate by hand or otherwise.
For some purposes I employ the electric or other artificial light to assist in
the effect produced by my apparatuses.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Peter Hubert Desvignes in the Great Seal Patent- Office on
the 27th August 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, PETER
HUBERT DESVIGNES, of Lewisham, in the County of Kent. Gentleman, senó
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of February, in the year of our

page_text: Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixiy, in the twenty-third year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Peter Hubert Desvignes. Her special licence that I, the said
Peter Hubert Desvignes, my executors, administrators. and assigns, or such
others as T. the said. Peter Hubert Desvignes, 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 APPARATUSES FOR EXHIBITING PHOTс-
GRAPHIC, STEREOSCOPIC, AND OTHER PICTURES, MODELS, FIGURES, AND DESIGNS,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that T. the said Peter Hubert Desvignes
my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or
their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascer-
tain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to
he 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 Peter Hubert Desvignes, 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 thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto
annexed, that is to say:-
The object of my Invention is to show in one apparatus a series of stereo-
scopic or other representations or models taken in different views, as if the
same or the things represented were in motion.
My apparatuses are cylindrical or polygonal, and are caused to rotate either
vertically or horizontally. To exhibit stereoscopic views, I take a cylinder
provided for the purpose, and place therein six stereoscopic views. but there
may be more or fewer; the periphery of the cylinder has formed across it -as
many slots as there are views. One or more glasses for viewing the pictures are
supported and held stationary outside of the periphery of the cylinder, or may
be otherwise placed. The views may represent, for instance, a steam engine,
and each view must be taken when the engine is at different parts of its stroke.
The views being placed in the said cylinder, and the cylinder being caused to
rotate, will shew to the eye the steam engine as if in an actual movement in all
its parts. The views may be transparent or opaque.
For exhibiting models and drawings, I arrange them round a cylinder placed

page_text: and caused to rotate horizontally; vertical slots are made in the periphery to
see through. Again, in some cases 1 fix a sort of camera, with or without
lenses, in front of a cylinder placed and made to revolve horizontally, with a
disc or discs provided with one or more apertures to see through. the disc and
cylinder being made to revolve at right angles to each other by wheelwork, or
otherwise. Instead of a disc I sometimes use a smaller cylinder with two or
more apertures therein, or sometimes a moveable flap.
Again, in some cases I form endless bands of pictures, and cause them to
revolve over two rollers or cylinders vertically: a thin slot or slit is provided
between every two pictures in the band, and by looking through the slit while
the band revolves, the same movements appear in the manner above described.
Again, I place ordinary pictures, models, patterns. figures, and designs,
insects, or other subjects of natural history inside the periphery of a cylinder.
and view them through a slot or slots cut in the periphery, while the cylinder
is caused to rotate by hand, or otherwise.
For some purposes I employ the electric or other artificial light, either
intermittently or continuously, to assist in the effect produced by my
apparatuses.
I will now more particularly describe the manner in which I construct the
before-mentioned apparatuses, and to illustrate the same will refer to the
accompanying Drawings.
I make use of paper, pasteboard, and wood, ebonite, or any other suitable
materials for forming the cylinders: but I prefer to use metals in combination
with other suitable materials where strength, durability, and philosophical
accuracy are required. When I make use of paper paste together several
layers of well moistened paper over and round a suitable form or shape, having
through its whole length a movable wedge adapted to it, and the form is of
such size as to construct a pasteboard cylinder of, say, 10 in. diameter, more
or less. I then give this cylinder a coating of lampblack and size, or other
suitable composition, and when this coating and the paper cylinder are
thoroughly dry, I cut off from the said cylinder a length of, say, about 3 in.,
which is afterwards easily removed by first loosening the wedge. and this I
call the narrow" cylinder. After driving back the wedge to its first position,
I cut off another length in a similar manner of about 7 in., and loosen the
wedge as before to remove the cylinder, this I call the broad cylinder; then, at
or at about an inch-from one and the same edge. I make eight or nine sight
soles or perforations in the narrow cylinder, each hole being about an inch
long, and about to ½ of an inch opening, and at equal distances apart on

page_text: the periphery of the cylinder, so as to divide it accurately all round. I divide
the broad cylinder in the same manner, say, with nine sight holes, each about
3 inches long, and
opening. so as to be 1% in. from one edge; leaving
to
a distance of about 2 in. from the other. I then provide two discs of paste-
board to fit accurately the narrow cylinder, and glue them together with three
or four strips of wood or other suitable material, in the manner shown at
to,,,, Figure 1, around a central piece of wood x cut across the
grnin. 1 insert this double disc in the cylinder as if it. were a piston, and
glue it firmly therein on that part nearest the sight holes, as is shewn at
Figure 2. which is a section of the narrow cylinder. Or instead of a double
disc, one disc is sufficient if-made stiff enough. I then secure a small wooden
nave to the centre ; with a hole accurately bored through it, into which I
insert a piece of wire fixed at its other end in a long wooden handle or stand,
as shown at N, Figure 2. H is the handle in which the wire is inserted, so
that the cylinder may turn truly and freely thereon; the handle is made of
sufficient length for the purpose of steadying it against the body whilst turning
or spinning the cylinder by hand. The cylinder may be turned by the finger
and thumb, or it may be made to revolve by suitable mechanism. Figure 3
is a view of a stand 1 employ in connection with my Invention; it is similar in
construction to those stands employed for blow pipes, and can be inclined.
lengthened. easily fixed, and made to be steady; any other form of stand and
any number of sight holes with smaller or larger apertures can, however, be
used if considered more desirable.
Figure 4 is a view of another form of cylinder, showing the sight holes
pierced in a narrow and smaller cylinder. and attached by a rim of pasteboard
or other suitable material s. forming a sort of step in the interior, and a sort
of recess on the exterior. This arrangement is intended to darken and shade
the part near the sight holes, which can be darkened still more when desired
by employing a hood formed of blackened pasteboard or other material, as
shown at F in the perspective view. Figure 5. Figure 6 shows the sight holes
on a level or at an angle with the cylinder; Figure 7 is a view of a cylinder
with a rim or projection added thereto, for the purpose of stiffening, the
cylinder and shading the sight holes; or I sometimes use it interiorly to hang
subjects from Figure 8 is a view of a similar cylinder with an additional rim
to modify the light.
It is obvious that the form of cylinder and position of the sight holes may be
greatly varied without departing from my Invention; and in order to illustrate
this I have shown several cylinders of different shapes, having the position of
the sight holes varied in Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,

page_text: 20, 21, and 22. c, Figure 5. is a small camera or box of blackened cardboard
or other suitable material, serving to confine the sight to one object at a time;
it is firmly fixed to the pin of the handle, to which the hood is also secured,
and in such manner as to remain stationary while the cylinder is spinning
round. These additions are not. however, essential to the apparatus, but they
improve the effect. The cylinders may be made of a skeleton form. so as to
fold up for convenience of carriage. T is a moveable flap covered with tin
foil or other suitable material for the purpose of reflecting light. To produce
the best results the cylinder should turn very steadily and truly on its axis.
and have as many sight holes as the subjects will properly admit of.
I will now explain the manner in which I arrange the broad cylinder before
mentioned take, as already stated. two discs. and glue them together at a
short distance apart with strips of wood, as shown at Figure 1. I fix these
discs on the edge of the cylinder which is farthest from the sight holes, so that
the perforations will be situated at an equal distance from the outside edge of
the cylinder and inside the face of the disc. The nave is fixed to the central
part of the disc, and is turned to the form shown in section at Figure 23.
A is the part inserted in the disc; the prolonged end or shaft of this part A
works in bearings formed in the frame marked F. I is a handle connected
to the outer end of the shaft, by which the cylinder is caused to revolve; or
other mechanism can be employed by which the same result is obtained.
Figure 24 is a perspective view of the apparatus. C is the hood or recess to
receive the face while viewing, secured to the stand or base G, B. D. This
hood is provided with a sight opening. H is the handle for turning the
cylinder; B, B, are diagonal braces or bars secured to the stand for stiffening
the same; S, S, are the sight holes. Figure 25 is a perspective view, partly
in section, showing the inside of the apparatus. II is the recess for the face
of the observer, which serves to hold the dark box C, in which lenses or plain
or colored glasses may be inserted for stereoscopic and other effects; it is also
-intended to confine the sight, but this is not absolutely necessary. except for
the reason before, described with reference to the narrow cylinder; S, S, S, are
the sight holes. The chamber C is attached by small hinges to the recess H,
and secured in its place by a button B, or it may be simply hooked, or as
most convenient. Figure 26 shows a strip or band of paper intended for ten
subjects or changes, with perforations for sight holes. This band, with the
changes or subjects thereon, may be increased to any length, number, or size,
and it may be arranged to revolve over and round two cylinders instead of
the inside of one, as explained for broad cylinders, all that is necessary is
.accurate division and steady motion; it may move horizontally or vertically;

page_text: the cylinders or rollers should be of light material, and of sufficient diameter
to allow a distinct vision of about eight inches between the sight holes and the
pictures to be seen opposite; also the whole of the outside or part which is
next the eye should be blackened, and the sight holes should have about one-
sixteenth of an inch opening; a small hood similar to the one before described
will always improve the effect.
Figure 27 illustrates the method I sometimes adopt for stereoscopic purposes,
which is also suitable for transparencies, and for the purposes already described.
A is a cylinder of, say, fourteen inches diameter and seven inches broad, formed
of stiff cardboard, divided by, say, eight sights, more or less, as described for
the broad cylinder, only that they are placed midway from both edges of
cylinder. This cylinder is stiffened at the edges by bands of tin and tinned
wire; on one and the same edge spokes are soldered, which are intended
to hold the nave or centre, and the small skeleton or wire frame B on which
the stereoscopic subjects to be viewed through the sight holes are secured;
the stand and other appliances-are similar to those already described, or are of
any other suitable form which will allow the cylinder to work accurately and
smoothly. The lenses and stereoscope are secured to the fixed stand or base,
or else every sight hole is fitted with small strips or slices about one quarter
inch broad, cut off from the lenses secured to the cylinder, and revolve with
it; a partition in the stereoscope is all that is required in the first case, whereas
a disc or partition of the diameter of the large cylinder will be necessary in
the second. A shutter provided with hinges and covered with tin foil is placed
on each side of the hood, which serves to reflect light in the manner of the
ordinary stereoscope for opaque objects; for transparencies these are not
required, but a table lamp or other light must be introduced a short distance
into the interior of the small cylinder to afford sufficient light, or it may be
supplied by a reflector placed near the frame; or the ordinary daylight is
sufficient in most cases if thrown or reflected on the interior surface of the
pictures; or both sides of the cylinder may be enclosed with some dark thin
material, if preferred, instead of remaining open for transparency. The spokes
are soldered on one side only, in order to allow the other to be open to admit
uninterrupted light to avoid shadows and to facilitate the removal and changing
of the subjects; if, however, small lamps are introduced inside, the spokes may
then be placed on both sides to ensure greater steadiness; and this arrange-
ment also applies to the broad cylinder shown at Figures 23, 24, 25. Or the
cylinder can be furnished. at the open part with a tier of light material running
on friction wheels to ensure accuracy, stiffness, and steadiness.
The made of arranging or delineating the objects to be used with the

page_text: cylinders is as follows:- take a length or strip of paper, having grooves or
loops formed on its surface of stiff paper, at equal distances apart; into these
grooves the different views of the object to be seen are placed. Or the models
may be stamped in paper in relief, and then detached similar to embossed
paper, and colored if desired. They are then gummed or glued at proper
distances apart on a disc of pasteboard, fitting the cylinder in such manner as
to be easily drawn out and packed; each series has its own disc, or, if preferred,
each series can have its own and separate cylinder. It is sometimes convenient
to have what I call a complementary set of sight holes cut through a long
strap of cardboard, with accurate divisions of, say, nine sights and of eight
sights, one of each being in unison; there would then be sixteen perforations
altogether. The cylinder is to be treated in the same manner, so that when
the strip of cardboard is put round it all the sight holes correspond. The first
sight hole, the one intended to be in unison on the strip of paper, is made
somewhat broader than any of the rest, so that when it is shifted about one
sixteenth of an inch either to the right or to the left, only the eight sight holes,
or else only the nine sight holes, will coincide, as the case may be, so that one
cylinder will combine a double division of sight holes capable of showing
effects with eight or with nine divisions, or with both combined, if required;
and it is the same for any number of divisions, as the case may be; the effect
is, that if a strip of paper is divided so as to show a series of black balls or
other object equidistant from one another, say eight in number, inserted in the
cylinder, then if these are viewed through the nine sight holes, they will appear
to roll forwards or backwards, according to the direction in which the cylinder
is turned; whereas if viewed through the eight sight holes, they will appear
stationary in whatever direction and however fast the cylinder is spun round;
but if both the eight and nine sight holes are used simultaneously, then there
will appear eight balls running round, while there will at the same time appear
eight balls at rest, to all appearance sixteen balls, though in fact but eight;
these and many other curious effects are to be produced by changing the
number of holes, or by not using the same number as of objects. For instance,
ten sight holes with five subjects will nevertheless shew as ten; so that if five
squirrels and five cages are drawn separately and at equal distances apart,
then by spinning round the cylinder the squirrels will appear in movement and
turning the cages round. On this plan stereoscopic effects can be produced
without the aid of lenses.
At Figure 28 shew another arrangement of apparatus; d. d. are drums
free to turn on centres c, c; S, S, S. endless band with sight holes of any
desired number. An odd number serves to bring the picture P exactly opposite

page_text: to a sight hole, but this is not essential. In some of my apparatuses the sight
holes may be on a separate endless band, and the picture also on a separate
endless band, provided the two are made to move simultaneously and in
unison, that is to say, there should be always a picture opposite to a sight hole,
although by introducing wheelwork it is not necessary that there should be the
same number of sight holes as pictures or subjects. It is known that if a disc
representing on one side (for instance) a cage, and on the other an isolated
bird in a particular position, that if the disc is made to spin round rapidly the
bird will appear in the cage and not isolated; the eye does not lose the
impression during the short interval it takes to receive another, as in this
instance, so that the cage is no sooner impressed on the eye than the bird
appears and impresses it in the same manner, only the last and real impression
is always stronger than the one that preceded, and so on in succession; the
one. succeeds the other so rapidly that the eye becomes equally impressed,
though alternately with the real and what preceded, that the two appear as
one and the same so long as the spinning is continued. In a similar manner,
if a circular disc is properly divided with loop holes or small openings, and
several figures are arranged in due order on one side with different changes or
positions, then if the disc is held before a looking glass as it is spinning round
on its centre, the figures will appear to move as well as their limbs; or when
two discs placed at some distance apart are turning simultaneously, as if of one
piece, one being divided with loop holes and the face of the opposite one with
figures, the same effect is produced by looking through the loop holes. I do
not consider it necessary to go into further details in describing other arrange-
ments, which may be varied to a great extent without departing from the
essential features of my Invention. To produce, however, the best. effects the
eye should not dwell longer on the object than is suflicient to impress it; if
then a disc without loop holes, but with figures on one face, is made to revolve
ever so rapidly, and electric sparks are elicited from an apparatus to coincide
with the divisions, so that every change of figure is made visible at its proper
time and place, the same effect as above described will also be produced, the
light and darkness will alternate so rapidly as to appear one continued
stream, and the disc will appear at rest while the figures will appear to move.
"dark
This I also partially imitate with less expense by using a lamp or
lantern," with a rapidly revolving shade propelled by mechanism or otherwise,
at such rate that at one time light and at another darkness is thrown on the
object, and is alternating at every change of object as to appear, a continuous
stream. With my apparatus in combination with the stereoscope the effect is

page_text: "
much improved. A somewhat similar effect can be produced by the employ-
ment of my apparatus and these means in combination with the magic
Jantern. When the cylinders already described are placed at some distance
from the eye, while revolving the objects appear what is technically termed
sharperor more distinct, but then the sight does not embrace the whole
subject or image; the reason why that which is seen of it appears sharper
is that the motion of the cylinder is less apparent during the progress of the
sight hole over the image; if the whole image can be shown at once and
without showing its onward progress, it is at once screened by some dark
surface, the effect would be almost as brilliant as with the electric light. The
following is the way in which I partially effect this:- take two discs and glue
them together about half an inch apart, as before described, and glue them into a
rim of about one and a half inches broad cut off from the cylinder herein-before
first described. To this rim 1 aflix a spindle and mechanism in connection
with a small disc about four inches diameter, having but one sight hole; the
number of teeth in the mechanism is so regulated that the small disc shall
move, as many times faster than the one with the rim, as the divisions required,
so that the sight hole shall come opposite to the image at exact and proper
intervals, showing and screening them alternately; the progress of the sight
hole by this arrangement being so much more rapid than the progress of the
object looked at, that its real motion is scarcely observed. Instead of a disc,
a cylinder pierced in the direction of its length will also answer the purpose of
the small disc, or a revolving flap or shutter, or flap or flaps with a recipro-
cating motion, will serve instead of the small disc, or any other means entailing
less expense and attended with little friction or noise, and they can be applied
to the broad cylinder already described; but in all cases it is desirable to use a
sort of diaphragm or dark chamber, so as to view the objects singly and at the
same time conceal the source of light, as herein-before described. Each
similar number of each series of views may be made to roll up; for instance,
all the No. 1 positions, all the No. 2 positions, and so on for the whole series;
these can be fixed to the cylinders or to the disc just described:
In the same
way with models which may be placed in a sort of box, and each can be
brought to view separately or all at once, as occasion might require.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim as my improve-
ments in apparatuses for exhibiting photographic, stereoscopic, and other
pictures, models. figures, and designs,-
First, the employment of a cylinder or cylinders, whether it or they be of a

page_text: circular or prismatic form, deep or shallow, or of an endless band passing
round two or more cylinders or otherwise in the manner and for the purposes
herein-before described and illustrated in the accompanying Dawings.
Second, the arrangement of parts, method of action, and construction. of
apparatuses for exhibiting photographic, stereoscopic, and other pictures,
models, figures, and designs, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Peter Hubert Desvignes, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of August, One thousand
eight hundred and sixty..
PETER HUBERT DESVIGNES. (L.s.)