Mechanical Music Digest 
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Pictures > greinacherCineRai

greinacherCineRai
"Cine Rai" Film Strip Projector Organette
by Christian Greinacher (020323 MMDigest)

cineRai1.jpg (39 kb)
Figure 1.

cineRai2.jpg (46 kb)
Figure 2.

 

Could anybody give me some more information about a music playing film projector which I have never seen before.  It is a metallic box with a crank and an optical system (fig.1 and 2). This projector, obviously a childrens toy, is signed with a label (fig.3):

cineRai3.jpg (18 kb)
CINE RAI
PATENDADO

The film strip (fig. 4, 5 and 6), a strong semi-translucent paper, contains two tracks of coloured printed pictures plus 15 lines of punched notes which control the airstream to 15 brass reeds.  When the crank is turned, the "film" is moved through the optics, a shutter gives alternating light (coming from an electric bulb inside the projector) through either one of the two picture tracks, so some movement of the pictures gets projected.

cineRai4.jpg (27 kb)    cineRai5.jpg (30 kb)
Figure 4.                                               Figure 5.

cineRai6.jpg (42 kb)A bellows pumps wind into the magazine bellows and the perforations on the film strip act as valves for the wind through the reeds.  On the magazine bellows a serial number 39076 is printed.  Even after all my best efforts in restoring the pneumatic system, the music sounds very weak and soft.

Who knows about this toy?  Where and when was it produced?  Could it sound and project pictures in a more acceptable quality?  Are there film/music rolls available?  I would appreciate any input.

Christian Greinacher, Germany
21 Mar 2002 18:10:49 +0100


23 March 2002
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page