Bell & Howell Filmo 16mm Automatic cine projector.
Category
Photographic technology
Date
Unknown
Materials
Metal, Glass, Brass, Plastic
Measurements
365 x 160 x 250 mm
Collection
Fox Talbot Museum, Wiltshire
NT 1525264.1
Summary
Bell & Howell Filmo 16mm Automatic cine projector. The whole is mounted on a heavy metal stand which folds away for storage and allows the projector to adjusted for pitch. From the back on the right hand side is a cylindrical housing of canister metal with vented top and screw out reflector to concentrate the light source through the lens, there is a shield shape plaque which reads – "Standard, Bell & Howell, Chicago, Cinemachinery" On the bottom of the cylinder is plastic electrical fitment, 2 bayonet pins and on the side of the unit it reads AC60 cycle, 110volts, DC or AC: 25 cycle.On the left mounted at 90degress to the lamp house is the motor, on the back is a plate which reads – "Bell & Howell Co, Chicago. Filmo registered. Automatic cine projector. For use with slow burning film only. 5 Amperes 110 volts. Made in USA." Beneath the plate is the hub of the motor and the number 34314. To the right of the hub is a knurled knob which controls forward and reverse function. On the top of the motor housing is a volt metre which registered from 0 – 90, below the dial is the Bell & Howell shield trademark, the dial is marked model 476 no 105743. On the left side of the housing is a plate which reads - Patented in US And foreign countries Date Number Sept 2 – 24 1.507.357 Mar 6 -26 1.577.030 Jun 8 – 26 1.587.955 Aug 31 – 26 1.598.444 Apr 12 – 27 1.624.730 Apr 12 – 27 1.624.731 Apr 12 – 27 1.624.732 Other patents pending To the front of the motor housing alongside the film management system is a knurled knob purpose unknown and a lever which appears to lock the film transit system. From the front there are 2 arms which fold away for storage and lock into position as spool holders which are driven by pulley and spring steel belts, the top one has a hand crank mechanism, the film management systems are on the left above and below the lens structure and appears to be a self-loading mechanism. The lens is mounted in a brass cylinder and is marked around the front bezel, it is marked – front – 2inch – GRAF optical Co – Pat.6-26.
Provenance
Part of the Fenton Collection. A gift from British Film Institute in 2017. From 1986-1999, part of BFI collection for the Museum of the Moving Image. BFI purchased collection in 1986 from James Fenton's Museum of Photography, Port Erin, Isle of Man 1976-1986.