Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1931)

October 24, 1931 Motion Picture Herald 59 EQUIPMENT AFFAIRS General Equipment News and Comment NEW S. M. P. E. HEAD • An event of importance to the theatre equipment field in general was the election of Dr. Alfred N. Goldsmith, vice president and general engineer of the Radio Corporation of America, as president of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers. The vote, taking place at the fall meeting of the society at Swampscott, Mass., places at the head of the industry's principal clearing house for ideas in all kinds of motion picture engineering, a man who carries not only the prestige of one of the world's great industrial organizations, but a man who is also intimately identified with many activities of scientific importance. In succeeding John I. Crabtree as president of the S. M. P. E., Doctor Goldsmith assumes responsibility for carrying on the work of an enterprise which, during Mr. Crabtree's incumbence, developed greatly as an agent of advancement in this industry, with its significance to the equipment manufacturer becoming more and more apparent. Doctor Goldsmith has always been active in activities beyond his immediate field of endeavor. He is a former president of the Institute of Radio Engineers, and was only recently appointed to the board of the American Standards Association. He conducted the radio research laboratory and taught electrical engineering at the College of the City of New York from 1907 to 1917. Besides the affiliations mentioned, he is a fellow of the Institute of Radio Engineers, fellow of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, of the Acoustical Society of America, and of the American Physical Society. He is also an honorary member of the Radio Club of America. Doctor Goldsmith assumes the presidency of S. M. P. E., not without a record of official service to this organization of motion picture scientists, having served at one time as chairman of the ways and means committee of the society — ^when, we take it, ways and means were an all-important matter. His direct connection with motion picture affairs began with his appointment as vice president in charge of engineering of RCA Photophone. VENTILATING EXHIBIT • In January, from the 25th to the 29th, the American Society of Heating & Ventilating Engineers will hold its second exposition. Much of the work of this organization is, of course, not of direct interest to the motion picture theatre owner or architect. But since many phases of air conditioning are extremely important to the theatre, some of the developments that will undoubtedly be brought out at this exposition, should have definite interest to the film world. It should have, perhaps, unusual interest — at least if air conditioning engineers are alert to the possibilities in this field. Most theatres, for instance, are not equipped with air conditioning facilities in keeping with the demands of the public or commensurate with the advancements of this science. This is not only true of small cities, but it is the common condition among neighborhood houses in large cities. One reason for this deficiency is the high cost of proper air conditioning equipment. The average theatre cannot afford it. In other words, the average theatre cannot afford to be comfortable unless the weather permits it to be. Unquestionably, the time is coming when we shall not have to be dependent upon weather or climatic conditions in any public building — perhaps not even in the home. The theatre, however, has to adjust itself very nicely to the reactions of the public to any sort of stimulus, because it is a place where a great variety of people gather in large, compactly allocated numbers, for the purpose of enjoying themselves. It therefore cannot afford to wait while air conditioning technics takes its own good time in evolving reasonably economical means of modern ventilating and cooling. The theatre therefore represents a field in which the American Society of Heating & Ventilating Engineers might well show its most immediate interest. If it can provide for the average theatre, it can provide for any other type of building. A feature of the 1932 exposition, which will be held in Cleveland, will be the oil burner, gas heating and domestic stoker displays, which probably represent the modern methods of fueling. RUG REHABILITATION • A process of renewing rugs has been evolved by the Nu-Process Rug & Carpet Dyers of Chicago, the general manager of which is Jack Kaplan, formerly of RadioKeith-Orpheum, Loew and B & K. The company declares that the process permits renewal of rugs in eight hours with the result being sun-proof, color-fast and impervious to stains. FUTURE OF LIGHTING • Even though the light-producing efficiency of the incandescent lamp is less than 10%, few, if any, radical improvements can be expected in it. That rather {Continued on page 66) A New Type Of Theatre? The industry has been wondering about certain small theatres that have made their appearance during the last six or eight months, with others promised. Some call them automatic theatres. Some call them by names less publishable. Are they only for newsreels? Or do they represent a deflation of the deluxe house? What are thej, then, as a business venture — and how best to plan them, in both architecture and operation ? Because these are all very interesting questions, a serious, energetic attempt will be made to answer them in the Fall Buyers Number — next Better Theatres. There will be articles — sketches — plans. In the Fall Buyers Number — the November 21st issue RadiO^W-Mat MR. SUPPLY DEALER Visual Educators Who Have Used RADIO — MAT — SLIDES Become Radio Mat Enthusiasts The educational field in your territory offers you a large sale for RADIO-MAT SUDES. Do You Sell Your Local Schools? If Not— Why Not? IS THE Stationery of the Screen y Motion Picture Patents My Specialty PATENTS William N. Moore Patent Attorney Loan and Trust Building Washington, D. C The first important step is to learn whether you can obtain a patent. Please send sketch of your invention with $10, and I will examine the pertinent U. S. patents and inform you whether you are entitled to a patent, the cost and manner of procedure. Personal attention. Established 35 years. 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