Improvements in the Application of Electricity to Illuminative and other Purposes in Theatrical and Analogous Representations.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Feb., 1887
Complete Left, 31st Oct., 1887
Complete Accepted, 2nd Dec., 1887.
Improvements in the Application of Electricity to Illuminative and
other Purposes in Theatrical and Analogous Representations.
I, MARY MCMULLIN, of 35 St. George's Square, Pimlico, in the County of
Middlesex, Spinster, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as
follows:-
The object of my invention is to apply electricity in Theatrical and analogous
representations, in such a manner as to enhance the effect, improve the display of
scenery, and otherwise increase the attraction of such performances.
In carrying out my invention, I make use of insulated batteries, either in the form
of primary batteries or accumulators, and conveniently arranged so as to be light,
compact and portable, and easily concealed in articles which are required in such
representations.
The batteries or accumulators are placed in carefully prepared fluid-tight cases, to
prevent leakage of any fluids that may be enclosed therein.
Conducting wires are also fitted and insulated, in such a manner that they are not
exposed to view, and the dissipation of the electricity by accidental contact is
prevented and completely guarded against. The wires are led to and caused to
operate upon electric bells, either intermittently at longer or shorter intervals, or
continuously, as required; and, in like manner, one or more incandescent or other
lamp or lamps may be illumined either intermittently or continuously.
The switches and analogous articles for conveying the electric currents to the
several operative points of action may be effected by means of buttons to be pressed
by the actors, or by clockwork attached to the articles, or placed in or attached to
the scenery, or in any other convenient position.

page_text: Improvements in the Application of Electricity to Illuminative and
other Purposes in Theatrical and Analogous Representations.
I, MARY MCMULLIN, of 35 St. George's Square, Pimlico, in the County of
Middlesex, Spinster, 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 object of my invention is to apply electricity, in Theatrical and analogous
representations, in such a manner as to enhance the effect, improve the display of
scenery, and otherwise increase the attraction of such performances, besides being
very convenient and safe.
A very important feature of my invention consists in its being entirely self-
contained no loose wires or other connections being required connecting the
article to be rendered luminous with the performer, or with the stage, or otherwise.
This feature removes all danger of damaging the dresses of the performers.
My invention is specially applicable to portable articles, such as wands, swords,
flag-staffs, banners, staves, crosses, brushes, hats and other head gear, and many other
articles.
In carrying out my invention, I make use of insulated batteries, either in the
form of primary batteries or accumulators, and conveniently arranged so as to be light,
compact, and portable, and easily concealed in and about the above mentioned
articles.
The batteries, whether primary or secondary, are placed in carefully prepared.
fluid-tight cases, to prevent leakage of any fluids that may be enclosed therein.
Conducting wires are also fitted and insulated, in such a manner that they are not
exposed to view, and the dissipation of the electricity by accidental contact is
prevented and completely guarded against. The wires are led to, and caused to
operate upon, electric bells, either intermittently, at longer or shorter intervals, or
continuously, as required; and, in like manner, one or more incandescent or other
lamp or lamps may be illumined, either intermittently or continuously.
The switches or analogous articles for conveying the electric currents to the several
operative points of action may be effected by means of buttons to be pressed by the
actors, or by clockwork attached to the articles aforesaid.
And in order that.my said invention may be particularly described and ascertained,
reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters of
reference indicate corresponding parts, such drawings, by way of illustration,
representing the application of my invention to a Theatrical wand.
Fig. 1 is an elevation of the wand, which may be held in one hand. a is the staff
or rod, bis the case containing the battery. The wires from the battery are carefully
concealed at the back of the rod. The upper end of the wand is made ornamental,
and fitted with reflectors and other devices for adding to the effect.
c is an electric

page_text: lamp, which is capable of being rendered incandescent either constantly or inter-
mittently, by pressing a button at the back of the rod, as shewn in Fig. 2, representing
a portion of the back of the wand a; d is the button, by pressing which the current
is carried to the lamp.
In fitting brushes and other articles, the battery is, in each case, self-contained;
whereby the inconvenience attending the use of loose wires is entirely avoided.
In connection with the use of brushes, the battery contained in the brush is
connected with wires, mixed with, or substituted for bristles. In using the same, the
article or dress intended to be brushed thereby, is made of such material, that electric
sparks emanate from the brush, and thereby impart startling effects.
It is obvious that my invention may be very much varied in its application.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. The manufacture and use of portable, self-contained, electrical batteries, fitted
to wands, swords, flag-staffs, banners, staves, crosses, brushes, hats, head gear, and
other articles in connection with Theatrical performances, and analogous representations,
independent of connections either with the person or otherwise, substantially as herein
before described and illustrated on the drawings.
2. The general arrangements, constructions, and combinations of parts, constituting
my improvements in the application of electricity to illuminative and other purposes,
in Theatrical and analogous representations, substantially as herein before described
and illustrated on the drawings.