The Optical Magic Lantern Journal (July 1900)

86 The Optical Magic Lantern Journal and Photographic Enlarger. When the handle is released the spring tT pressing against the nut Q” pushes it away and thus causes the rods m and n to be pulled back into their original positions. The nut Q also comes into contact with the end of the celluloid and makes it swivel round on the screw v, thus bringing the ball back into its original position. Further, when the handle is released the rod J is pushed upwards again into its first position and pulls the thigh and leg back again. As the tongue G comes into contact with the rod moving upwards, it is pushed up till the leg is forced into its first attitude, namely, that of preparing to kick. ‘But before the handle is pulled right out, and the ball, in consequence, apparently kicked through the hoop, a few preliminary tugs are given, which are sufficient to impart to the clown a “kicking?” action but which do not affect the ball by reason of the fact that the nut Q' is adjusted so that it does not yet come into contact with the celluloid. Thus the clown is represented on the screen as swinging his leg in readiness to kick, and at last (when the handle is sharply pulled right out to its fullest extent) giving the football lying on the ground in front of him a hard, straight kick, which sends it flying through the hoop held up by the other clown. In conclusion, it may be remarked that the sole object of this mechanical slide is not that the football should be apparently kicked through the hoop, but.that the clown should be made to swing his leg backwards and forwards before giving the final kick. A far more realistic effect is thus obtained, and the extra trouble entailed in carefully constructing all the parts of the slide (some of which might at first sight seem superfluous) is amply repaid. Why Some Acetylene Companies have Disappeared. By R. J. MOSS. Ke ; aed N the June issue of this Journal, the “\ following appeared under the heading of * Notes.” ‘“‘ Acetylene gas companies. It is but a short time ago that quite a number of companies were started for the manufacture of acetylene generators for the production of acetylene gas. It would be interesting to know what percentage.of them is still in existence, for there has been a sad falling off somewhere,” The statement is unfortunately only too true, but it is to be sincerely regretted that such a sentence can be honestly penned by the editor of the Maetc Lantern Journal, which was, I believe, the first in this country to call public attention to the new luminant; the more so because such a paragraph is likely to give readers the impression that acetylene is on the wane. Being in a position to know something of the inner workings of the business, I not unnaturally ask the question’ with which this article commences, and will endeavour «to answer it. That the use of acetylene is increasing can soon be decided by an examination of the carbide industry, which, instead of diminishing, is making immense strides forward. At the. present time there are not far short of 50 carbide works in. operation, mainly on the “Continent ; some of the largest are capable of turning out 3,000 tons yearly; and when it is remembered that the smallest works, which can be run at a profit, must produce 500 tons annually, some little idea of the world's output can be estimated. Germany is not only a large producer but by far the greatest consumer and exporter, and last year her imports exceeded the exports by no less than 6,000,000 kilos or about 7,000 tons. America, with its many works and immense amount of water power, can only just. supply its own needs ; while Great Britain never has been, and never will be, able to produce. sufficient, small as that demand is, compared with other parts of the world. These few facts will, I think, show that there is no slump in the use of acetylene, consequently one is puzzled to know why the generator manufacturers disappear and where they go ta; there are, however, sucha number of reasons that I scarcely know which to take first. The general opinion is, that Government restrictions, insurance office regulations, railway companies’. conservatism, the shipping companies’ refusal to carry carbide, and above all, the apparently ineradicable idea of the man in the street that acetylene and all belonging to it are fearfully dangerous, are at the root of the matter. I will not deny that these do hinder the industry, and very seriously, otherwise there is no reason why this country should be so hopelessly behind other industrial nations, not only of the first, but even of the second rank ; yet the fact that some hundreds of tons of carbide were imported last year—one firm alone had a consignment of 200 tons—shows that there is considerable vitality in the business,