The theatre of science; a volume of progress and achievement in the motion picture industry (1914)

S32 Clje Cljeatre the equipment of moving-picture theatres that is so little understood as the screen, and this is natural from the fact that there are so many equations entering in the matter that only an exhibitor who has given the theory of light deep study fully appreciates its importance. For over ten years Mr. Rembusch hias been experimenting with surfaces of all kinds, and the plate-glass "mirror screen" has now been perfected to such a degree that it has attained the highest efficiency in reflection combined with perfect distribution of light. The "Journal of the American Medical Association," which is recognized as the highest authority, recently in commenting upon the "movies" and the eyes, made the statement that the so-called "Mirror Screen," which consisted of a plate-glass mirror with a frosted surface, is the easiest upon the eyes. A moving picture is nothing more or less than light. It is better stated, reflected light. Light always propagates in straight lines. When the light from the projection machine strikes the screen it depends entirely upon the minute depressions of the surface as to what angle this light will be reflected. The first screens that were used v/ere the white wall or sheet. The white wall or sheet has one commendable virtue, and that is it reflects the light by diffused reflection. In other words, it is a dull surface, and a dull surface is the only proper surface to use for a projection screen because on a dull surface alone does the image of the picture become visible. A shiny surface is always very hard upon the eyes and at the same time does not catch the picture light, it simply reflects glare. But the white wall is a poor distributor. It has poor reflective power, and furthermore the minute