by Christian Greinacher (020323 MMDigest)
Figure 1.
Figure 2.
CINE RAI
PATENDADO
The film strip (fig. 4, 5 and 6), a strong semi-translucent paper, contains two tracks of coloured printed pictures plus 15 lines of punched notes which control the airstream to 15 brass reeds. When the crank is turned, the "film" is moved through the optics, a shutter gives alternating light (coming from an electric bulb inside the projector) through either one of the two picture tracks, so some movement of the pictures gets projected.
Figure 4.
Figure 5.
A
bellows pumps wind into the magazine bellows and the perforations on the
film strip act as valves for the wind through the reeds. On the magazine
bellows a serial number 39076 is printed. Even after all my best
efforts in restoring the pneumatic system, the music sounds very weak and
soft.
Who knows about this toy? Where and when was it produced? Could it sound and project pictures in a more acceptable quality? Are there film/music rolls available? I would appreciate any input.
Christian Greinacher, Germany
21 Mar 2002 18:10:49 +0100
23 March 2002