International projectionist (Oct 1931-Sept 1933)

32 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST December 1931 and modernization of theatres the amperage had to be increased along with the increased amount of auditorium light in theatres. Some of you may be able to remember the early motion picture theatre which was in total darkness during the screening of a motion picture, except for the light which was reflected from the screen. Nowadays a modern motion picture theatre is so well lighted during the screening of a picture that it is possible to read ordinary newspaper print during the screening. Early Equipment The early motion picture projector was a very crude and simple affair, having very few adjustments and a minimum of working parts. The entire roll of film was exposed all during the course of its screening, and in case of fire there were absolutely no safety devices to stop the spread of flames to the entire reel. No reel was provided for the film to be wound upon after it ran through the projector. Instead, the film was permitted to run into an open sack at the base of the projector. This greatly increased the fire hazard, and it is quite common to find old time projectionists whose bodies are literally covered with the scars of burns received in the early days of the industry. In a great many cases the projection room itself was built of wood or other inflammable material, was of very sniall size, and located directly above the boxoffice of the theatre. Many times the projection room or booth, as it was called in those days, had as the only means of entrance a trap-door in the floor, and in many instances the cashiers, to avoid being bothered by the operators, who sometimes needed a glass of cold-water, fastened the trap-door on the outside which imprisoned the operator in the booth; and in case of fire he was literally burned alive. There are still instances where operators are burned alive in operating rooms, a member of the Provo (Utah), local union having a fatal accident of this kind only four years ago. I will quote part of an affidavit from an usher in the theatre who was the first one to enter the operating room after the fire was over, to give you some idea of how a man looks who has been burned in a film fire: "I was the first one to reach the scene of the accident, being attracted to the projection room by an explosion. As I remember, the accident occurred about 8:00 p.m. I rushed to the projection room and found it full of smoke. When I got there the door was closed and I could hear shouts from within calling 'Help! Help! I can't see.' Graham managed somehow to open the door just as I reached for it. I rushed into the room and as I faced him I could see he was burned from head to foot. His clothing was burned from his body and he kept crying out that he couldn't see. I took my coat off and put it around him but he threw it off crying that he couldn't stand it. By this time he was burned beyond recognition. I finally succeeded in getting my coat around him and, with the help of an usher, took him downstairs to Dr. Arnold Robinson's office which was adjoining the theatre." Physical Hazards You will note that the usher speaks of the room being full of smoke. What he refers to as smoke was actually nitrogen-oxide fumes. Again quoting Dr. Sapington, who says in part: Exposure to apparently trifling concentrations (of nitrogen-oxide) may lead to profound edema of the respiratory tract. The word "edema" refers to swelling in the lungs and the respiratory passage because of the inhalation of nitrogen-oxide fumes. This swelling is so great and is so sudden in many instances that it causes internal suffocation. Carbon Tetrachloride is used in fire extinguishers in projection rooms because of the fact that it is a non-conductor of electricity, but when carbon tetrachloride is played upon burning film is creates a very dangerous gas by combining with the nitrogen-oxide gases formed by the burning film. These fumes lead to inflammation of Hoffmann Soons Every known quality necessary in producing perfect projection is embodied in perfection rheostats. PERF^JiON sV> SOLDERLESS ADJUSTABLE LUGS Heavily Constructed Will take wire sizes from No. 4 to No. 4/0 Recognized as the highest standard everywhere [ Sold by all branches of the National Theatre Supply Co., Sam Kaplan, New York; Continental Theatre Accessories, and by your dealer. ] The Only Union-Made Rheostat We Build Rhec stats for Special Requi r e m e n t s . Communicate With Us Direct. There Is No Obligation. R HOFFMANN SOONS ELECTRICAL & ENGINEERING CORPORATION 387 FIRST AVE., NEW YORK HE OS TATS