Did you guess a Projector?

BALDWIN POSTCARD PROJECTOR

If you look at these photos, can you figure out how it worked?

In the righthand corner of this photo you can see the door of the projector with the wooden handle standing up. A wooden handle is often used to protect a person’s hand from metal that conducts heat. Does that give you a clue?
This photo shows the inside of the projector with the door removed. It has a gas lighting system.

This type of projector is called an episcope. It was used in the early 1900s. You’ll find more examples (and this same Baldwin model if you scroll all the way down and select “more episcopes”) here. Don’t miss the Mirrorscope!

Curious about the history of projected images? Learn about Magic Lanterns here. Visit the Museum to see the real thing.

Check out this video to see a more modern projector from the 1970s and learn how an episcope works.