The Optical Magic Lantern Journal (February 1897)

22 The Optical Magic Lantern Journal and Photographic Enlarger. Acetylene for General [Iumination.— There are rumours to the effect thata company 1s acetylene gas to houses round about London, as soon as the insurance conditions are modified. Lod bana Lectures on the Rontgen Rays.—The subject of the Rontgen rays has been discoursed upon in most of the towns of any importance during the past year. As far north as the Orkney Islands, a photograph of a hand taken by these rays, was, within a few days of the publication of the invention, in the possession of a gentleman in the town of Stromness; and in this same town an interesting lecture, including the history of photography, was recently given by Mr. J. R. Black, photographer, under the auspices of the United Presbyterian Guild, at which many X ray pictures were projected by means of the lantern before a large audience. Practical demonstrations by the X rays and animated photographs were given on the 18th ult., at Orphir, six miles from Stromness, by Dr. Wolfenden, who prefixed the demonstration by historical accounts of these inventions. ote ~ co Lantern Slide Bureau.—A bureau for the interchange and hiring of lantern slides has been established under the managership of Mr. S. White, at 153, Turner’s Road, Bow, EK. Hach member is to contribute 386 slides, or £2 2s. to be expended in slides, which shall remain his property. Any of the slides in hand may be hired by members at a nominal rate. We under stand that at present 792 slides are available. ~ bead cod Kodak in the Dictionary.--According to a : } os new dictionary published in the United States, ; 1° former numbers of this journal. the word kodak is} treated as a trans. verb, : meaning “to take an instantaneous picture of.” oe bad ~ House Gas and Rubber Tubing.—Some experiments conducted with coal gas and rubber | tubing demonstrated the fact that the purer the rubber tubing the more gas it absorbs, and that which absorbs the least, and consequently gives off least smell, is that known as grey rubber, | which contains about fifty per cent. of solid matter. om ~ ee Acetylene for Motor Cars.—Recent experiments have shown that acetylene gas is admirably suited for use in motors, and it is claimed that a motor tricycle can with it be run at the cost of a halfpenny per hour. ~~ co he A Resume of the Past Year.—At Lowestoft it is the custom of the Rev. J. M. Hamilton to | ) a | on the chief events of the past year. about to take in hand the general supplying of ; give, in each January, an illustrated lecture The subjects this year included sets of slides of the X rays, Dr. Jim’s ride, Dr. Nansen’s voyage, massacres of the Armenians, and many others of interest. These annual lectures are given in connection with the London Road Baptist Chapel. ood ~ Old Belfast.—One of the most interesting lectures yet given before the Belfast Young Ireland Society was on ‘‘ Old Belfast,’’ by Mr. John Marshall of that city, assisted at the lantern by Mr. J. Allen. The suggestion for the lecture came originally from Mr. Allen, but the research and putting together of the facts was solely the work of Mr. Marshall, who as a student of Irish history and an antiquarian has few equals. The great interest the audience took in this lecture was at once apparent, and the lecturer kept them interested with the history of the growth of their town. Beginning with illustrations of old maps of four hundred years ago,he proceeded step by step up to the present period. Such a great interest has been taken in this paper that some of the Irish papers have reproduced the entire lecture. ote es = Kromskop.—The Kromskop is the new name given to Mr. Ives’ instrument for showing photographs in their natural colours, a lecture > ! and demonstration in connection with which was given by the inventor in the first week of last month at St. George’s Gallery, Grafton Street, Bond Street. The pictures are taken intriplicate through coloured media, as mentioned = me we Motophotoscope.— A new machine for projecting animated photographs on the screen has just been brought out by Mr. W. OC. Hughes. This instrument is not provided with any shutter for cutting off the light during the changing of each picture. We intend seeing it in operation shortly, when it will be noticed in our columns. Cod ~ * Gases in Coal Mines.—At a lecture last month at Prestonpans, held at the Free Church Hall, Professor Haldans explained by means of illustrations projected with the lantern, how many lives might be saved in cases of explosions or fires in the working of mines. ~ og oe Annual Supperand Concert.—The annual supper of the employés of Messrs. W. Butcher & Son, Blackheath, took place at the ‘‘ Princess of