|
|
Post by scotttucker on Feb 12, 2023 14:02:05 GMT -7
No real reason for this post other than it looks so cool.  |
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Feb 13, 2023 11:44:44 GMT -7
Yes, there is something about them, isn't there.
|
|
|
|
Post by scotttucker on Apr 29, 2023 1:29:33 GMT -7
I have finally got back to cleaning up the projector and have put my brave pants on to dismantle things to properly clean them. The moon projector is really interesting. A lens focuses light from the bulb onto a small circular mirror which is then projected through a conical projector lens housing. The phases are recreated by a cup which rotates around the mirror driven by a gear. I attach a couple of photos - The mirror is tiny about 5mm or so diameter. At first I thought the seas had been painted on but I think the patterning is tarnish or some kind of bloom. I might leave it on.   |
|
|
|
Post by scotttucker on Apr 29, 2023 1:38:00 GMT -7
I love that the people who made these things took pride in their work - here is a picture of the inside of the moon projector box cover. I suspect it has not been opened up and seen the light of day since 1975 - Mr Matsugako (?) signed his work. Interestingly, this was the 14th moon projector - while only 3 were made of this particular version of the planetarium I guess the whole GE series shared the moon projector design.  |
|
|
|
Post by mrgare5050 on Apr 29, 2023 7:05:23 GMT -7
At least no moths flew out of it when you opened it, like mr magoo's wallet lol. Signed work is extraordinary!
|
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Apr 29, 2023 11:29:26 GMT -7
I have finally got back to cleaning up the projector and have put my brave pants on to dismantle things to properly clean them. The moon projector is really interesting. A lens focuses light from the bulb onto a small circular mirror which is then projected through a conical projector lens housing. The phases are recreated by a cup which rotates around the mirror driven by a gear. I attach a couple of photos - The mirror is tiny about 5mm or so diameter. At first I thought the seas had been painted on but I think the patterning is tarnish or some kind of bloom. I might leave it on. View AttachmentView Attachment Looks like the seas to me. Project it out and I think you will see a picture of the moon. I would not remove it. |
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Apr 29, 2023 11:34:38 GMT -7
I love that the people who made these things took pride in their work - here is a picture of the inside of the moon projector box cover. I suspect it has not been opened up and seen the light of day since 1975 - Mr Matsugako (?) signed his work. Interestingly, this was the 14th moon projector - while only 3 were made of this particular version of the planetarium I guess the whole GE series shared the moon projector design. View AttachmentI've come to the conclusion that every part of every series of projectors had minor changes and improvements from machine to machine and no two were exactly alike. If there were major changes, then the model number would change. |
|
|
|
Post by scotttucker on Apr 30, 2023 11:46:48 GMT -7
" I would not remove it" Wise words Ron. My mantra is not to do anything irreversible as I overhaul it. I sometimes have to be brave - the only way to be able to remove the more northern starplate assemblies for proper cleaning has been to take the entire planet cage off - actually, after much checking it was very simple - 4 screws and an electrical multiway plug. If you use your imagination a little it resembles one of the more modern egg style projectors when the cage is off.   |
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on May 1, 2023 9:47:41 GMT -7
At first rebuilding these things seams like a formidable job. It goes on piece by piece until, all of a sudden, it is finished and operational. Your doing good, keep it up.
|
|
|
|
Post by scotttucker on Mar 30, 2024 0:09:54 GMT -7
I had a work trip to Manchester last November and took the opportunity to pop into the Museum of Science and Industry which used to operate my projector. I asked the attendant if anyone remembered anything about their planetarium - eventually they found a chap who could remember it but did not know that much about it. He gave me the Science Museum archive e-mail address. I requested any information they had but all went quiet for 3 months until a week or so ago when they sent through archive photos that they had. Museums have come under enormous funding pressure over the last couple of decades but I am really pleased there are still dedicated people who recognise the importance of museums and what they do and I am grateful that someone that someone dug through their archives. Here is one of the photos of the original installation in the aeroplane hall.  |
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Mar 31, 2024 9:39:26 GMT -7
One wonders why they dumped it. Looks like a 20 to 24 ft. dome. Only enough room for one more helicopter or plane. I would have placed it close to a corner of the hall so it didn't take up prime display space. Also, dropping the spring line down from eight feet down to six feet would have allowed it to fit under that lower area to the back. But them, without these various people giving up, none of us would have been able to get these fine machines for our own. Their loss, our gain!
|
|
|
|
Post by scotttucker on Mar 31, 2024 9:59:13 GMT -7
I have definitely benefited from the closure of the dome but I can't help feeling it is also really sad for the people of Manchester. Eventually they closed the whole hall - all the aeroplanes have been dispersed to other museums or returned to their owners. I think it was something to do with the cost of repairing /making the glass roof safe.
|
|
|
|
Post by starsheep on Mar 31, 2024 19:42:10 GMT -7
Out of site, out of mind.
I have been *slowly* re-reading the Henry King book. Got to the chapters on Ferguson, Martin and Adams. These guys competed with each other holding public lectures and building models of eclipses, moons of jupter and stuff. The social media influencers of their time. The printing press their soapbox.
Was reading about How Ferguson "Calculated" the true date of Easter in AD33 with his mechanical orrery.
By the 1780s they were all dead and the collections dispersed. The books continued to sell well into the 19th century. The demonstration models were made of wood and paper so they did not last.
Supposedly one of Ferguson's Orrerys was in San Francisco. I think I remember it stuff into a glass case in an upper hallway where the Public did not go. I suspect it is in Lancaster PA now with the rest of the Acadamy's collection. Museum people are about grant writing and keeping the donors happy. They also seem to be on a mission to not frighten children. Or teach them about the horrible things technology can do. The followers of the king on Lud would be most proud.
It is interesting how such things tend to cycle. How much we have become concerned about 'safety' while at the same time becoming more isolated and introspected. Risk taking is no longer valued. Espcially when one can like H.G. Wells predicted make money while they sleep through investments. Of course he used cryonics. The results are pretty much the same. Now done in front of glass screens. More lottery and gambling than actual skill.
Ownership of ideas becomes more valuable when the ideas are rare and hidden. A sort of metaphorical glass roof.
|
|
