International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1946)

Disregard of Safety Switches a Source of Danger to Projectionists One urgently needed new habit, indispensable in dealing with television, should be formed by projectionists now before television equipment appears in the theatre. A large majority of projectionists appear to have a certain contempt for the dangers in handling live circuits. The practice of disregarding safety switches, with which careful manufacturers often equip sound apparatus, is widespread. As a matter of fact, some projectionists in their eagerness to handle hot circuits, jam these switches, nullifying the manufacturer's precaution. These projectionists know very well that ordinary lighting voltage has killed many persons; that people have been killed repairing common household radios. But these things do not happen very often, therefore a complete disregard for the 300 to 900 volts that may be found in a sound amplifier has become increasingly common — and a great many men bave developed a positive habit of disregarding electrical dangers. That will be a sad habit to carry over into the days of television, when working potentials can be expected to run between 60.000 and 100,000 volts. Of course, such -voltages will be surrounded by precau tions built into the apparatus by the manufacturers, but the projectionists who today deliberately put out of action the safety switches of their present apparatus probably will carry over that tendency in dealing with the safety gadgets surrounding 100,000 volts. Especially when the show stops suddenly and a man rushes to his apparatus to do something about it quick, old-established habits will tend to carry over. The time to form new habits is now. Every projectionist knows that he should open switches and bleed condensers before working on electrical circuits. He also knows that he should form the habit of doing that always — even with circuits that are not very dangerous and even when his show has stopped. Every local union should foster the development of correct habits in handling electrical circuits among its own members — this should be done now before television hits the theatres. INTEGRATED PLANT FACILITIES FOR MOTIOGRAPH EXPANSION Motiograph, Inc., will be able early in 1946 to house all its manufacturing activi ties under one roof, on the basis of plans already drawn for an addition to the existing factory at 4431 West Lake Street, Chicago. Current manufacture is spread among three widely separated plants in Chicago. The new enlarged plant will contain a private theatre which will permit testing and demonstration of visual-sound equipment under actual theatre conditions. Motiograph is now producing and delivering sound projection equipment at a rate far in excess of its previous peak year. The new plant will enable production to be trebled by mid-1946. The Mirrophonic sound system line has been expanded to include models utilizing the postwar Voice of the Theatre loudspeaker system, and all ten models now include the 7500-type reproducers which are based on designs of Western Electric Co. Distribution facilities for Motiograph products have been materially expanded by new dealerships in following territories: Kansas City, Denver, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Memphis, and New Orleans. SIGNS ALTEC AGREEMENT Altec Service Corporation announces that Elmer Rhoden's Fox Midwest Circuit of theatres has signed agreements with it to service the sound reproducing equipment in 59 theatres located in various cities and towns in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri. The deal was negotiated by R. Hilton for Altec and Lew Pope for Midwest. & L SUPER CINEPHOR greater screen brilliance The B&L Super Cinephor f:2.0 Projection Lens is Balcote surfaced. This is the revolutionary lens treatment that minimizes internal "flare" and results in screen images which are 30% brighter. This, with, precision anastigmatic correction, means not only greater screen brilliancy but better image guality, color purity, and contrast as well. Write for complete information BAUSCH & LOMB OPTICAL CO. ROCHESTER 2, N BAUSCH & LOMB ESTABLISHED 1853 26 INTERN ATION A L PROJECTIONIST