From The Times, March 16, 1922:
A portable cinematograph projector has been perfected by Mr Herbert G Ponting, the photographer of the Scott Antarctic Expedition, and producer of the film, With Captain Scott in the Antarctic. The inventor claims that this apparatus, which he calls the “Kinatome”, will bring motion pictures into the family circle, even as the gramophone and pianola have brought music, and that it holds great possibilities for education by the film in schools.
The “Kinatome”, which Mr Ponting showed and explained yesterday, is entirely self-contained in a wooden case measuring 12 x 9 x 16in, which holds the projecting mechanism, optical and lighting systems, motor, and ventilating fans. The complete apparatus weighs only 16lb. “Though it looks so small,” said Mr Ponting, “compared with the standard projecting machine, it will give a 5ft picture, if used in a reasonably large room. It is also very simple to work. The laborious process of preparing a film for exhibition in standard practice has been eliminated. The film is contained in a fireproof metal case which can be put into the machine as easily as a gramophone record is placed on its turntable. Kinatome films are never taken out of their protecting cases. The film may be stopped so that a particular picture may be seen at leisure, and by means of a reverse lever the operator can return to a picture that has passed.”
A Kinatome film, Mr Ponting said, is equivalent in length to 300ft of standard size film — which occupies five minutes at the normal rate of running — and the film case can be changed for a fresh one in a few seconds. Bands of film printed with “still” pictures are usable in the machine, which is thus adaptable to the special needs of lecturers.
● News in brief: It was announced at a parish meeting at Shalfleet, Isle of Wight, that Dr Wyndham Cottle, formerly of the RAMC, attached to the Scots Guards, who died in 1921, had bequeathed £10,000 for alms cottages in the parish and the maintenance of their occupants, Roman Catholics and Jews being excepted from the benefits under the scheme. Dr Wyndham Cottle, who was a valued supporter of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, left an annuity of £20 and a parrot to his wife.
thetimes.co.uk/archive
