The film daily year book of motion pictures (1925)

COL. E. H. GREEN LINKS RADIO TO MOVIES The New York Times, Sept. 14, gives an ac count of Col. E. H. Greene's experiments with radio and the .laboratory accident that may be the fore runner to motion pictures via the ether waves. The significant facts are herewith given: * * * the workers in the private laboratory of Cploned E. H. K. Greene, son of the late Hetty Greene * * ♦ have furnished definite evidence that radio photography can he achieved. The first object produced was a lowly monkey wrench. That was the accident. Then came intensive experiment. Now an image of the human figure can be transferred by radio waves to a celluloid plate. The next concern is to develop a method of retaining this impression. At present the image disappears with tile chemicals that wash over the plate. But the image is clearly seen, reproduced in a greenish color. The features may be recognized, the dress, manner and gait. If the person photographed walks about, his actions can be observed on the celluloid plate. Even the act of speaking does not escape, the observer's eye. Only one restriction exists, so far as perfect visibility is concerned. The action must be slow. Then the chemical bath is shut off and the celluloid plate remains as it was, without a trace of the figures that lived there a moment before. So far no method has been hit upon of retaining the images registered on the plate. But experiment has shown that they may be transferred almost any distance. To express the matter differently, the question of distance does not seem to be an issue. For experimental purposes the photographs are projected from 1,800 to 2.000 feet, and Colonel Greene believes that the problem of distance is one of power only. What the Monkey Wrench Revealed First sight of the monkey wrench that led to these developments and greater possibilities was an event not unlike the famous apple that fell upon the head of Newton. For some time Colonel Greene has conducted research into radio transmission from WMAF. his own station at South Dartmouth at the mouth of Buzzard's Bay. One of the subjects especially under investigation is the elimination of static interference. In following various scientific clues the reproduction of a shadowy monkey wrench appeared from nowhere. "Here," said Colonel Greene, "what does this mean? Where is that monkey wrench, and why does the reflection appear here?" Prompt inquiry showed that what seemed to be a reflection in reality was a radio photograph. The reproduction of the wrench had been caught up and transferred by the Hertzian waves from a distant point. Then came the second discovery. Under the same conditions and with a little manipulation it was possible to reproduce the human figure. But the importance of these events did not culminate there. Not only could the figure be projected: it could be reproduced in motion. Thus the first radio movie was sent and received. But the means of reception are yet so hazy and so little understood that many questions await settlement before a permanent reproduction can be effected. Colonel Greene is confident that it will be achieved; perhaps in a short while, possibly years of experiment must elapse. Just now he is superintending the construction of a new laboratory where the work will lie pushed forward with 311 the speed scientific inquiry permits. The fundamental ideas have been supplied in considerable measure by a college professor, an expert in optics, who now has the assistance of several skilled men. Their efforts have excelled expectations and it may be believed that nothing will go untried which can serve to realize the final result. Radio Photos Assured "I see no reason to wonder at the possibility of sending moving pictures by radio," said Colonel Greene. "Certainly that achievement will be less remarkable than the first message dispatched without wires. Or if we go back further, perhaps the first dots and dashes sent over a wire really marked the high point of human ingenuity in that direction. Having convinced ourselves that we could reproduce sound by wire, it merely remained to dispense with the wire and go ahead." * * * FREIGHT RATES FROM NEW YORK PER 100 POUNDS The Motion Picture Prods. & Dists. of America, Inc., through its Chairman of Transportation, P. 11. Stilson, issues the following table of freight rates on films and printed matter from New York to the various exchange centers. While these rates are secured from competent authorities and it is fair to assume they will hold firm, still they are subject to change and without recourse. Rates are for cents per hundred pounds. Printed FUms Matter N. 1st class Films O.I. B.N. Key City L.C.L. C.L. C.L. Albany, N. Y 50 32 32 Atlanta, Ga 189 142J4 142J4 Boston, Mass 6654 SO 50 Buffalo, N. Y 79 54}4 54J4 Butte, Mont 510 374 228 Chicago, 111 142 94J4 94}4 Cincinnati, 0 123J4 82 82 Cleveland, 0 101 67 67 Charlotte, N. C. 144 108 108 Columbus, O Ill 7354 7354 Dallas, Tex 377 . 258 228 Denver, Colo 412 26VA 228 Des Moines, la 241 "4 138 138 Detroit, Mich. Ill 73J4 73J4 Indianapolis, Ind 132 88 88 Kansas City, Mo 249-4 163 163 Los Angeles, Cal 555 398 228 Memphis, Tenn 20254 20254 20254 Milwaukee, Wis. 142 94J4 9454 Minneapolis, Minn 195 129 129.. New Haven, Conn 5354 36 36 New Orleans. La 21854 21854 21854 Omaha, Neb 249'/2 163 163 Oklahoma City 351 54 24754 228 Peoria, 111 156 104 104 Pittsburgh'. Pa 85 56 V2 56 }4 Philadelphia, Pa 41 54 2854 2854 Portland, Me 8554 58 . 58 Portland, Ore 555 398 228 Salt Lake City, Utah .... 510 365 228 Seattle, Wash 555 398 228 San Francisco. Cal 555 398 228 Sioux Falls, S. D 254 165 165 St. Louis, Mo 166 11054 11054 Wilkes-Bane, Pa. 6654 44 44 Washington, D. C 70 50 50 Note: L. C. L. means "Less than carload lots." L. C. means "carload lots." N. O. I. B. N. means "Not otherwise indexed by name." BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL ECONOMICS An altruistic association using facilities and instrumentalities of governments, manufacturers and educational institutions in the dissemination of useful information by the graphic method of motion pictures displayed invariably to audiences admitted free. This is not a Government bureau. Advisory Council: Hon. Albert B. Cummins. U. S. Senator, Iowa; Chairman, Hon. .Tames J. Davis, Secretary of Labor; Hon. E. J. Henning. Assistant Secretary of Labor ; Sir Robert L. Borden, Ex-Prime Minister, Dominion of Canada: Hon. Leo S. Rowe, Director General, Pan American Union ; Dr. Charles S. Howe, President, Case School of Applied Science; Mr. E. W. Beatty, President, Canadian Pacific Rwy. ; Rd. Robert S. Brookings, President, Institute of Economics; Mr. Roy D. Chapin, President Hudson Motor Company; Hon. Robert L Owen, United States Senator. Oklahoma; Hon. Simeon D. Fess, United States Senator, Ohio; Sir George E. Foster, Member, Dominion Senate, Canada; Hon. Alexander Hume Ford, Director General, Pan Pacific Union ; Hon. Gifford Pinchot, Governor of Pennsylvania ; Dr. Vernon L. Kellogg, Secretary. National Research Council: Hon. Samuel Hill, Hon. Consul General for Belgium. Co-operating and allied with 32 nations, sending out travelogue speakers, auto-movie trucks, crossroad daylight equipment. Anita Maris Boggs. Director; Randolph M. Boggs, Dean; executive office, 1108 16th St., N. W., Washington, D. C. 587