Improvements in Kinetoscopes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Dec., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 28th Aug., 1895-Accepted, 26th Oct., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Kinetoscopes.
We JOHN ANDERTON Scientific Instrument Manufacturer 142 Suffolk Street,
Birmingham, ALFRED LOMAX, General Agent, 28, Caunce Street, Blackpool,
Lancashire, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The Edison kinetoscope as at present constructed, and as generally used, is an
apparatus constructed in the form of a cabinet, about the size of a slot phonograph
cabinet, and oblong in its general shape. It contains a mechanical dovice operated
by electricity, which is so constructed as to run the film containing the photographed
views past a given point at a speed of about 46 each second of time. In the top of
the cabinet, which is that of a square and flat plane, and at one corner of the same
is a small window covered with clear glass. The person who desires to witness a
reproduction of the views looks down through this window, and the film passes before
his eyes with such rapidity that he beholds one continuous view. The general
object of the kinetoscope is that of and for entertainment, though it may be put to
several other valuable uses. The general use and purpose of the kinetoscope is
obviously to enable a person to see, owing to the aid of very rapid photography
when preparing the films, a picture in such a way and manner as to present all the
natural and accurate movements of life.
Owing to the fact that, as at present constructed, only one person at one and the
same time is enabled to see the view operated by the kinetoscope, this has been
found to be a serious disadvantage to its general and profitable use, especially when
employed for the purpose of exhibition. It is proposed, therefore, in the present
invention to effect such improvements (which will be more particularly described
hereafter) as will enable several persons to see the same view without inconvenience
at one and the same time. It may also be described as an addition to the
kinetoscope.
In the Edison kinetoscope the film of photographs is about six inches below the
top of the outer case containing the machinery for moving it in a horizontal
direction, and immediately above the moving filin a plano-convex lens is placed for
the purpose of magnifying the photographs upon the film. The lens is in a setting
and is placed in a perpendicular aperture. The present addition consists of a
mirror or mirrors, or prism or prisms, and lens or lenses in the manner herein
described. Above the perpendicular aperture in the outer case of the kinetoscope
already referred to, we place a plain reflector of glass, metal, or other material if
of glass it is preferably silvered upon its front surface. Or, a prism of glass or other
material may be used, of angles suited to the purpose :-For example, a prism of
90° angle at apex, and 45° angle at each corner of its base may be used, and this
can be silvered on its base for increasing the brilliancy of its reflections. Or, a
prism can be utilised that will give a total reflection. We take, for example, the
right angle prism referred to, and place it above the aperture in the case of the
kinetoscope, and in such a position that one of its sides is parallel to the film below.
The other side being a right angle to the first will therefore be vertical, and as the
angles at base are of 450, the base will be at this angle to the film, and the images
of figures upon the film will be seen by the observer or observers not in a vertical
but in a horizontal direction, i.e. immediately in front of him or them. The prism
is of sufficient size to reflect the whole of a single photograph on the film when
magnified, and is of sufficient length to enable au observer not situated immediately
opposite to see the reflection.

page_text: If a plain reflector be utilised instead of a prism as described, it is placed at or
about an angle of 45° to the film.
The prism or plain glass, or other reflector is suitably mounted so as to
allow of a little motion, in order that observers of different heights may see the
reflections without inconvenience.
A convex lens or lenses, or lenses of any other suitable form, may be placed
between the film or figures and prism or mirror, or between prism or mirror and
observer or observers, for the purpose of magnifying the figures on the film. The
prism or mirror is placed over the aperture in such a position that the reflected
image of the figure or figures on the film will appear in their proper positions, that
is, not inverted; the figure or figures in this case when viewed directly without
reflection are seen inverted; or the same effect may be attained by reversing the
kinetoscope film. A frame or other arrangement encloses the prism or reflector,
and may be covered with dark material or paint for the purpose of excluding
extraneous light, and directing the eyes of observers to the reflected images.
Dated this 26th day of December 1894.
JOHN ANDERTON.
ALFRED LOMAX.
We JoшN ANDERTON, Scientific Instrument Maker, 142 Suffolk Street
Birmingham, Warwickshire ALFRED LOMAX, General Agent, 28, Caunce Street,
Blackpool, Lancashire, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement:-
The Edison kinetoscope as at present constructed, and as generally used, is an
apparatus constructed in the form of a cabinet, about the size of a slot phonograph
cabinet, and oblong in its general shape. It contains a mechanical device operated
by clectricity, which is so constructed as to run the film containing the photographed
views past a given point at a speed of about 46 each second of time. In the top of
the cabinet, which is that of a square and flat plane, and at one corner of the same
is a small window covered with clear glass. The person who desires to witness a
reproduction of the views looks down through this window, and, the film passes
before his eyes with such rapidity that he beholds one continuous view. The general
object of the kinetoscope is that of and for entertainment, though it may be put to
several other valuable uses. The general use and purpose of the kinetoscope is
obviously to enable a person to see, owing to the aid of very rapid photography
when preparing the films, a picture in such a way and manner as to present all the
natural and accurate movements of life.
Owing to the fact that, as at present constructed, only one person at one and the
same time is enabled to see the view operated by the kinetoscope, this has been
found to be a serious disadvantage to its general and profitable use, especially when
employed for the purpose of exhibition. It is proposed, therefore, in the present
invention to effect such improvements (which will be more particularly described
hereafter) as will enable several persons to see the same view without incon-
venience at one and the same time. It may also be described as an addition to
the kinetoscope.
In the Edison kinetoscope the film of photographs is about six inches below the
top of the outer case containing the machinery for moving it in a horizontal
direction, and immediately above the moving film a plano-convex lens is placed for
the purpose of magnifying the photographs upon the filin. The lens is in a setting
and is placed in a perpendicular aperture.
The present addition will be substantially as follows ;-
Above the lens or lenses used for magnifying the kinetoscope film, a reflector is

page_text: placed at an angle of about 45° to lens or lenses. The reflector referred to may be
of glass, metal, or of any other material or substance, silvered or otherwise
prepared for the purpose. A prism of glass of about an angle of 90° at apex, and
45° at each end of base is preferable, and in the explanation to follow, it is
This prism,
a reflector answering to this description that will be referred to.
silvered upon its base, is placed about half way across the aperture in the top board
of kinetoscope, beneath which the magnifying lens is placed. With the reflecting
prism in position, a clear view of film is obtained by looking through magnifying
lens in the ordinary way, and if a second observer stand face to face with the first,
and looks straight in the direction of prism, he will see an erect image of film
A is film, (the
directly in front of him. Fig. 1 is a sketch of this arrangement.
arrow representing the position of photographed figure or figures on film); B is
magnifying lens, C. C. top board of kinetoscope, D right angle prism with silvered
base; placed with one of its faces in such a position that something like half of
aperture in board is covered by it. Observer at F. when looking down will see
magnified image of film in the ordinary way, and a second observer placed at E and
looking in direction of prism D will see a reflected image of film straight before him,
and apparently as far behind prism, as film is from reflecting base of prism.
Obviously the prism will invert the film by its reflection, but as observer at E
would see the film inverted if he viewed it directly down aperture, the inversion by
the prism causes the image to appear in true position i.e. not upside down.
Again, to enable a third observer to see image of film at same time and from a
different position, we place a second prism similar to the one already described near
to, or cement it directly on to the first prism. This second prism extends to about
half the length of the first.
In Fig. 2, A is film; B magnifying lens; C. C., top board of kinetoscope ;
D the first prism; H the second prism. As before, observer placed at F will
see image of film by looking directly down in the ordinary way, and observer at E
looking directly into that part of first prism D that is not covered by second
prism H will see image of film directly in front of him, as before; whilst a third
observer looking directly into second prism H will also see image of film directly in
front of him. The observer at H if he looked directly down aperture in kinetoscope
board would see image sideways, i.e., the head of arrow would be pointing toward
observer's right hand. The reflection's from D and H corrects this, and the arrow,
corresponding to figures on film, appears to observer erect and right way up.
By placing a third similar prism in position upon the other end of D not occupied
by H and leaving space sufficient for clear views for observer at E in D a fourth
observer standing face to face with observer looking into H will see image of film
erect and in truc position.
Prisms of different shape to those described may be used, and the positions of
The above effects can be
prisms and lens or lenses may be altered or varied.
obtained without the use of lens or lenses but the use of the latter is preferable.
The prisms are covered from view, and proper sight holes made in covering
for observers.
The prism or plain glass or other reflector is suitably mounted so as to allow of a
little motion for the purposes of adjustment.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we claim ;—
In a kinetoscope the multiple view attachment substantially as and for the
purpose herein described.
Dhih dan of Awoust 1805
JOHN ANDERTON.
ALFRED LOMAX.