balopticon projection lantern
Date: 1900-1920
Inventory Number: 1997-1-0003
Classification: Lantern Slide Projector
Subject:
Maker: Bausch & Lomb Optical Company ? (1853-present)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
30.5 × 25.2 × 61.2 cm (12 × 9 15/16 × 24 1/8 in.)
Description:
Rectangular balopticon with a bellows front on a wooden base, made of sheet metal with a matte black finish.
Bausch and Lomb specifically marketed this type of lantern as a lathe-bed balopticon with a condenser and cooling cell between the years 1900-1920.
It has a Russian iron top, allowing heat to be released and to prevent excessive light spillage.
Light is provided by an electric light bulb which in the early models would have had a carbon filament, and around the 1910s would have been switched to a Mazda (Tungsten) bulb. The present bulb is tubular, tungsten, of a relatively late make.
Bausch and Lomb specifically marketed this type of lantern as a lathe-bed balopticon with a condenser and cooling cell between the years 1900-1920.
It has a Russian iron top, allowing heat to be released and to prevent excessive light spillage.
Light is provided by an electric light bulb which in the early models would have had a carbon filament, and around the 1910s would have been switched to a Mazda (Tungsten) bulb. The present bulb is tubular, tungsten, of a relatively late make.
Signedunsigned
FunctionA balopticon is an early to mid- twentienth century device that is the transitional form between a magic lantern and a modern overhead projector. It was used for placing objects, such as prints or other opaque images, or transparencies on the balopticon. Then, the image would be projected on a wall or screen for viewing, to trace drawings, or to otherwise copy the image.
Curatorial RemarksIt is uncertain if this is a Bausch and Lomb model, but looks virtually identical to models made at this time.