Page 5 - RD_0314

Mystery Device

The device shown at left was found
during a clean out at a country TV
station.

The channel on the base section is
16 mm wide, so that does give some
clue - also the reels contain the
residue of sticky backed silver foil.
The unit has an “A Easton & Son Pty
Ltd” label on the front, which
suggests it was either made by them
or imported by them.

When the plunger in the centre is
pushed down, a blade protrudes from
the bottom of the housing and would
seem to engage with the film and
probably attach a piece of the silver
foil to the film.

At the same time, the up and down
action of the plunger advances the
right hand reel by way of the ratchet
at its rear.
There are two cut aways in the film
channel on the closest end (top
illustration), their purpose is a bit
of a mystery.
It seems fairly obvious that the
device applies a piece of silver foil
to the surface of the film, possibly
to activate a sensor in a telecine
unit -
Does anyone have more details of
the unit?

Reel Deals - 5 - June 2014