International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1946)

these networks ; the need to provide them is now upon us. Two lines of approach have been followed— one through development of coaxial cables and repeater; the other through development of radio relays. Early work in the field of television radio relaying led. in 1933, to the erection of a radio relay station at Arney's Mount in New Jersey. Using this relay point, television signals were successfully relayed from the Empire State Building in New York to Camden, New Jersey. As a result of these experiments, it was evident that television relaying should be carried out at higher frequencies. By 1939, progressive developments of tubes and equipment permitted the establishment of an experimental ultra-highfrequency radio relay station at Hauppage, Long Island. This station was of the unattended type and was used for a number of experiments in relaying television signals between points on Long Island and New York City. Research work was continued in this field until the advent of the war. As a result, it was possible to accumulate the necessary experience upon which to base the development of a post-war radio relay system for interconnecting television stations. Of course, a nation-wide network cannot spring up overnight, but must grow in orderly, logical fashion. This calls for planning in order to provide a logical and economical system of regional networks to interconnect groups of stations in the highly populated sections of the country, as well as connecting links to join these into a nation-wide system. Preparations are now under way looking toward the establishment of such systems and it appears likely that the final networks will consist of a combination of radio relays and coaxial cable. In this way, pictures of events and programs can be flashed from distant points to be broadcast to audiences in many cities at once, after the fashion of sound broadcasting. Theatre Television Prospects With the development of the projection Kinescope and the highly efficient reflective optical system we have the basis for theatre television as a post-war service. For the first time in theatre history, means are available for bringing to audiences the thrills and drama of events as they occur at a distance in real life. Shortly before the outbreak of the war, RCA Laboratories demonstrated a picture 20 feet wide. From experience gained with this equipment it will be possible to develop commercial theatre television apparatus. The question of the future technical development of television is one of great interest to everyone concerned in any way with this new medium for disseminating entertainment and information. Continued developments and improvements in television are inevitable. Some of the principles required for these new developments are already known, some remain to be discovered. Further work on Kinescopes, particularly of the projection type, will make possible larger, brighter pictures. The continued investigation of circuit problems, of the requirements for picture definition and of most agreeable contrast relations will make it possible to improve greatly the quality of the picture within the limits of the present television transmission standards. All this will take time and effort but improvement is certain. In the field of television network expansion, it seems logical to expect the transmission of vision to follow in the footsteps of sound broadcasting. Thus, after linking up the major cities in this country, the next step would be international radio relay stations to provide world-wide television service. While the techniques for this are not yet developed, it is logical to expect research to be productive along these lines when the need arises. W. E. YEAR-END DIVIDEND At a recent meeting of the directors of the Western Electric Company, a dividend of 50 cents per share on its common stock was declared. The dividend was payable on December 31, 1945 to stock of record at the close of business on December 26. Sharp Heat Reduction, Better Color Rendition Claimed for New Glass Improved projection of color pictures and cooler working conditions for motion picture and television actors are made possible by a new heat-absorbing, color-transmitting glass, according to a recent announcement made by the American Optical Company. This picture, a reproduction of a scene projected in color, demonstrates how the glass, when used as a heat screen in a projector, permits the projection of motion and still pictures in their original colors. Left half of the scene was projected through the new glass, and the right half through a previously developed, less efficient glass. Dr. E. D. Tillyer, the company's research director, demonstrates how the new heat-absorbing, color-transmitting glass protects a film or slide against heat emitted by the light of a projector. Despite a protective shield of ordinary glass placed before it, the film in the right pedestal bursts into flames while the film in the left pedestal, protected by a piece of the new glass, survives without damage. In addition to improving the projection of color pictures, this new glass can also be used as a heat screen in spotlights and floodlights to protect movie end television actors from scorching heat generated by the powerful lights. It is claimed that approximately 90 per cent of the present almost unendurable heat is absorbed by the glass. This picture demonstrates how the glass absorbs heat emitted by the floodlight (upper right). Thermometer placed before the glass registers 220 degrees F., whereas the temperature behind the heat-absorbing glass registers only 80 degrees F. 12 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST