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April, 1940] PROGRESS IN FlLM FlRE PREVENTION 401
of the theaters, many of which were remodeled stores, usually did not exceed one hundred.
Because of the constantly increasing use of motion picture film, which is not backed or interleaved with paper, and because of some serious fires that occurred in theaters and exchanges, the Eastman Kodak Co. became vitally interested in the problem of fire prevention.
In 1906, Kodak began experimenting with cellulose acetate, which has the same transparent properties as cellulose nitrate and in addition is no more inflammable than paper, wood, or many other forms of ordinary cellulose. In addition to its lower inflammability, cellulose acetate will not decompose readily when heated ; and, except for carbon monoxide, it does not give off toxic gases when it burns. No more carbon monoxide is released from cellulose acetate when it is burned in a limited air supply than is given off by equal quantities of ordinary cellulose, such as paper or wood.
ACETATE FILM UNSUITABLE
In 1909, Eastman had developed cellulose acetate to a point where the Company felt it could be substituted for nitrocellulose in motion picture film. To give effect to this development, Mr. Eastman arranged a meeting with the leaders of the motion picture producing companies. Because the advantages of the new film were obvious to all, little argument was needed to reach an agreement whereby only cellulose-acetate film was to be supplied by the Company thereafter.
Experience demonstrated, however, that acetate film was not as strong mechanically as nitrocellulose film and that it became brittle with use. Difficulty in the projection of the acetate film was experienced partly because of the inferior quality of the film but also because of the inferior projection equipment of that day and the rough handling to which the film was subjected.
Although some improvements ensued in film, in projection equipment, and in handling, the motion picture producers asked in 1911 to be released from their agreement to use only cellulose-acetate film. Thus, in less than two years, the Eastman first attempt to substitute slow-burning cellulose-acetate film for nitrocellulose film came to an end. This attempt failed, not because of lack of cooperation on the part of the motion picture producers, but because of the failure of the cellulose-acetate film to perform satisfactorily under the conditions to which it was subjected.
The period from 1911 to 1922 was one of research, education, and