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The BAUER 16 mm projectors

Han Fokkelman

In 1933 the management of Bauer decided to begin production of 16 mm projectors. The reason was
simple: 16 mm projection was growing into ‘BIG’ business.
First of all the film base used for 16 mm film was essentially fire-free, so the strict safety precautions used
for 35 mm projectors were unnecessary, and the apparatus could be lighter and more portable. Add to
this the lower cost of material and it becomes an ideal format for schools, businesses, the armed forces
and exhibitors like those who travelled around the country to show movies in local pubs.
The very first 16 mm projector was the Bauer Selecton 1. It was
a sturdy, low maintenance projector with the run of a theatre
machine, due to use of the Maltese cross movement with the
bearings in an oil bath. The projector was used for silent movies
and it was not until 1935 that it was upgraded with optical sound.
The Panatalux 16, also a silent projector, was designed by
Robert Bosch GmbH in Stuttgart in 1934. It was intended as a
cheap and simple school projector. It has a regular claw move-
ment, no Maltese cross, and it is possible to project both for-
ward and reverse. For rewinding, however, a rewind handle is
used.

A significant feature is the system preventing light from reach-
ing the film until it is up to speed, which minimizes the risk of

melting the film. Bauer
took over the production
of the Pantalux 16 in
1938, which is why this
machine may be found
with either firm’s trade-
mark.
Bauer became well
known with the Pantalux
16 and the Selecton 1, es-
pecially on the German
market. The two ma-
chines were manufactured until 1951 and by then it was time to change, as the whole 16 mm industry had
during the years. By then there were silent and optical sound versions and a magnetic sound version,
which became known for their use not only in classrooms but also for projection in larger venues.

The new projector was the Selecton 11 W with a 20 W amplifier underneath. It retained the Maltese cross
movement and is suitable for 600 m reels. Thanks to a 100 V 750 W lamp it was possible to show films
in venues for up to 400 people. The Selecton 11 W came in different versions namely:

18 REEL DEALS March 2019