Motion Picture Herald (Jul-Aug 1936)

can be drawn is that each light ray carries or has its own wave front, and until science is able to at least approximately define a 'light ray,' it cannot be certain what the answer to Brother Randall's question is. The answer therefore is as yet unavailable from the viewpoint of the scientist. "However, this writer is able to offer a solution to the question for the reason that he believes he can define or explain what a light ray is. He holds himself as able to do this by reason of his new conception of the atom, which he holds to be a perfectly balanced mechanical system in the form of a bipolar vortex, the same having a magnetic field in the form of a disk encircling the equator of the vortex. [And this from a projectionist! Phew! — F. H. R.], the system having the same general form as the planet Saturn, in which the rings of the planet represent the magnetic field of the atom. Note, the lighter atoms have a magnetic field of smaller diameter than the heavier ones. "Whenever a light source is created, the atoms in the air immediately surrounding it polarize into lines, which radiate outward in every direction from the light source, the positive pole of each atom pointing towards the light source. Each of these lines constitute what is known as a light ray. It is composed of atoms that are joined together by their opposite poles like so many tiny magnets. Each of these rays have a wave front in the form ofva magnetic field which surround the nucleus, the plane of which is at right angles to the axis of the nucleus. "Note that this conception of a light ray is practically a counterpart of an electric current, with its magnetic field, but involving only one line of force. It represents the indivisible unit of electric current. "A ray of light through air atoms has a magnetic field of smaller diameter than the same ray through a glass medium. When a light ray passes from air into glass there is an exchange of energy between the air atom and the glass atom. The glass atom absorbs energy from the air atom and causes the field of the air atom to increase in diameter, while the field of the glass atom decreases in diameter until the fields of both are of equal diameter. When the ray leaves the glass medium and enters air, the opposite action takes place, and the field around the ray decreases when it emerges from the glass. It is this increase and decrease in the diameter of the field around the ray which occurs at the surface of the glass that causes refraction. "The bending of the ray occurs in the air just before entering the glass, and also in the air just upon leaving the glass. There is always a strain present in the ray if it does not enter and leave the glass in a direction normal or perpendicular to the surface, and it is this strain that causes the refraction at the emergence surface when the field around the ray decreases in diameter. "When a ray enters a glass surface in a direction normal to the surface, the field around the last air atom is parallel to the surface of the glass so that it is free to ex pand and contract without coming into contact with the glass surface. Such a ray will therefore not be refracted. "When a ray enters the glass at an angle, any expansion of the field will cause the edge of the field in the acute angle, to push against the surface of the heavier medium, causing the field to be thrown out of its parallel position to the other fields of the ray. The nucleus of the air atom will follow so as to keep the displaced field around the equator of the nucleus, thus changing the direction of the axis of the nucleus. The angle of refraction will depend upon the incident angle and the amount by which the diameter of the field is increased. We thus get a simple mechanical explanation of refraction." Reflecting upon all this, I am forcibly reminded that away back about 1912 or 1913, when John Griffiths entered the field as a contributor to my "Trouble Department" and advanced ideas as to the projector optical system, he was more or less laughed at because his ideas (they more or less coincided, I must confess, with my own) were quite at variance with those of the optical engineers. But the laugh was finally proven to be ill-judged, for John's views were found to be more nearly correct than were those of the optical engineers, whereupon the said engineers suddenly made "discoveries" which were strangely akin to the views set forth by Brother John Griffiths. So, gentlemen, I am glad to lay his views concerning light refraction before you, with distinct pride that a man who has been a working projectionist for nearly 30 years, and an off and on contributor to my department for at least 25 of them, is able to present such an argument. True, they are at variance with the views of scientific men, but I am not in the least inclined to question the possibility that he is right. PHOTOGRAPHS OF PROJECTION ROOMS some while ago we suggested the submission of photographs of projection rooms. Many snapshots have been received, but few have been just what is wanted. For example, Joseph Dina of the Bijou theatre in New York, sends two photographs, but one picture is merely a view of his sound amplifier, the other shows one of his projectors. Both are photographically excellent, but they are not views of a projection room. Instead as stated, they are merely views of two pieces of equipment, which may be had in any manufacturer's or dealer's catalogue. I will be glad to have views of projection rooms, provided a good view of the general layout is shown. I well know the difficulty of obtaining such a view in very many projection rooms, but of some of the larger ones excellent shots can be made. I prefer, where possible, to have the projection staff included. Most everybody has a camera capable of taking such pictures in time exposures, and with a little ingenuity, the projection arcs can be used to give proper light. MUTINY in the THEATRE can be avoided these hot days by cooling with the all-metal Electric-Air Blower an oversize blower which obtains capacity output operating at a greatly reduced speed. Adequate capacity for 450 seat theatres is assured. Quiet in operation and built for long service. Can also be used in conjunction with established cooling systems and for building up pressure in foyers and lobbies. Operates from 1 h.p. motor. Less pulleys and motor Write for literature. *89.50 ELECTRIC-AIR, INC. 308 MONROE AVE. N. GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. Consider the Deaf when looking for new patrons. Install TRIMM earphones in your theatre and reach these lost customers. Write Dept. BT7 for full information. TEtlll/SBUI Radio Manufacturing Co. I 111 III 111 1770 W. Berteau Avenue, Chicago "LaVezzi" Sua ra nteed — Precision Motion Picture Machine Parts Sold by dealers everywhere. LAVEZZI MACHINE WORKS 180 N. WACKER DRIVE CHIC) ESTABLISHED 1908 Richardson's BLUEBOOK of PROJECTION • The new sixth edition contains 714 pages plus 153 illustrations. It details and describes every piece of sound and projection apparatus in the modern projection booth and gives all instructions for operation and maintenance. It includes a complete trouble-shooting department as a first aid in breakdowns and features a quick-finding index system that provides the answer immediately to any projection problem. Don't put off owning a Bluebook. You will find it indispensable as a daily reference. Price $5.25 Postpaid QUIGLEY BOOKSHOP ROCKEFELLER CENTER New York July 25. 1936 37