The Optical Magic Lantern Journal (September 1896)

150 The Optical Magic Lantern Journal and Photographic Enlarger. instrument, lighted with oil, would be of little value. Perhaps the most modern example of the increased popularity of the lantern may be found in its recent application to the exhibition of what are called “living pictures.” When Edison brought out his kinetoscope a few years ago, it was considered a very clever thing, but it excited nothing like the interest it has evoked since its principle has been applied to the lantern, and it is gratifying to all lanternists to note the enthusiastic way in which the public are willing to pay their money to see the various exhibitions now open for the display of moving pictures by means of the lantern. To review the present position, it may be said that what was considered merely a child’s toy some twenty-five years ago, is now regarded a8 an important educational instrument, and makers of the lantern, and workers with it, should do all in their power to improve and adapt it for the useful future it has before it, as an illustrator of unsurpassed value. —— :0:——_ To Locate a Leak in a Gas-Bag. By Pauuie J. LEAMANN. y ANN AS-BAGS cannot be said to be in a ‘gS, general use now that gas can be obtained compressed in cylinders, but still, all the same, there are a number in use. It cannot be supif posed that bags will not spring a Dy leak, and when they do it is someoe times a dificult matter to locate the exact spot where the leak occurs. Of course when it is found it is, generally speaking, not a difficult task to remedy the same. However, the job is to find it.The usual mode, after having given up the plan of holding the hand or face to various suspected portions, is to dip parts of the bag containing gas or air under water, and, on applying pressure, watch for air bubbles. This method, however, is a cumbersome one.— A neat and more efficacious plan is to fill the bag nearly full of air and then insert the stem of a charged and lighted tobacco pipe into the nozzle, cover the bowl of the pipe with a piece of linen and then blow the bag up full.— When the bag is pressed the leak will then be apparent by reason of the small stream of smoke issuing from the leak. New Apparatus. TRIPLE RACK FRONT. Hitherto, when a triple rack front has been operated by pinions, it has been found necessary to have three pinions, which, when folded close together, do not perhaps have the neatest possible appearance. By means of an ingenious method of engaging the three racks, Mr. a. Wrench has been able to adjust all three racks by means of one pinion and the means of 80 doing have been patented. When the three tubes are folded up close together the rotation of the pinion causes the smaller tube to be racked forward, and as soon as this has been racked to its extreme length, a spring at its end is liberated, which prevents it ROBO y isthe fell es 2 from being pushed in. By continuing the rotation of the pinion, the second tube is racked forward until its catch-spring operatesinthe same manner, and so on until all the tubes are racked out. By reversing the motion of the pinion the tubes are withdrawn in the same order. When all tubes are racked out they are very firm and cannot be pushed in by hand. PYRAMID FOLDING” LAMP. Mr. Tylar of Birmingham has lately brought out a folding lamp cover, for placing over a candle for use for developing and other purposes. It is made on the conical bellows principle and has one thickness of ruby and one thickness of yellow fabric with metal top, bottom, and struts. The illustrations show it closed and open.