Description
Magic lanterns are an early type of image projector. They use a powerful light source to project images onto a screen or wall. They were the precursors to modern slide, overhead and motion picture projectors. Although first developed in the 17th century, it was in the late 18th and 19th centuries that the design of the instrument became developed enough to make magic lantern shows a popular form of general entertainment and scientific and artistic education.

The basic elements of a magic lantern are a metal or wooden body, a light source, a condensing lens, a focusing lens, and interchangeable slides that were commonly produced in sets. The light source can be a candle, limelight, or an oil or gas lamp, with later magic lanterns utilising electric arc lamps and eventually electric bulbs.

A concave mirror behind the lamp reflects the light forwards and this is bent inwards by a set of condenser lenses so that it passes through the picture on the slide. The light then travels through a projection lens, which can be moved backwards or forwards to focus an image on a screen.

Early lantern slides were hand painted on glass, but by the late nineteenth century a number of companies were mass producing slide sets utilising photographic transparencies. Hand cranked mechanisms were sometimes also built into the slides to produce elaborate animated effects. Slide sets might show recent events, exotic locations from around the world, or illustrate tales and fables. For scientific lecturers, the magic lantern was an invaluable instrument for illustrating their public talks, enabling the projection of spectacular astronomical images or massive diagrams of plants and animals.
03/04/2014
Created by: Joshua Nall [Based on entry by Toni Parker, 01/02/2001] on 03/04/2014