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for a flicker blade normally used on a segment
shutter and allows more light to reach the
screen. The projection lens, condenser assem-
bly and sound optic are without a maker's name,
but I'm sure they were made by Waterworth in
Hobart … they have that certain look. The sound
system exciter lamp is a 10 volt 7.5 amp type
with a SBSC base. That was the standard excit-
er for 35mm machines in those days and should
last forever in a 16mm machine that would
normally have a lighter workload (less screen-
ing time) than its 35mm big brother.

The accompanying captions and illustrations
will provide more details of the Harmour and
Heath's feature. A beautifully engineered pro-
jector of simple design that reflects the high
standard of professional motion picture equip-
ment made in Australia from the 1920s onward.

Harmour and Heath also designed and built the
unique 35mm "flop over" Camera used by Above: Fitted with a 1000 watt 115 volt globe, the
George Heath to film "The Rats of Tobruk" spacious interior of the lamphouse would allow
(1944). easy conversion to the more modem ELC 24 volt
250 watt lamp if desired.

Sadly it appears that very little has been recorded of the history and achievements of the many
small engineering companies that pioneered and established motion picture equipment manufac-
tured in Australia.

I’m not a researcher, but for somebody with those skills, I'm sure a wonderful story awaits, a story
that should be told but alas, I think it may already be too late, as most of the actors have left the
stage.
Below: Simplicity is the keynote of the Harmour and Heath as
indicated by the take up assembly and spool arms.
Finally a prediction: As the
electronic age and digital im-
aging roars ahead at a frighten-
ing pace into the 21st century,
the mechanical artefacts of its
beginnings a hundred years
earlier will grow immensely in
value. Beautifully restored
working examples of these
quaint but fascinating pieces
of moving picture apparatus
will grace great exhibitions
(under tight security of
course).

8 REEL DEALS September 2019