my profile | my password | search | faq & rules | forum home

» Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE   » Operations   » Film Handlers' Forum   » Platter History

Author Topic: Platter History Aaron Mehocic Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 804 From: New Castle, PA, USA Registered: Jun 99 posted 08-23-1999 03:09 PM                     If any of you folks read my profile, you'll see I like to talk about history, and that includes film history. This forum has helped me correct some of my errors in both projection and dating equipment for those who care to know. I was asked recently about platter design and their use in the industry. I told the guy that most platter designs probably date to the 1950's. When did they become widspread? Who, if you know invented them? In particular, I would like to know about Potts, SPECO, and Neu-tronic. Thank You.  |  IP: Logged Stephen Jones Master Film Handler Posts: 314 From: Geelong Victoria Australia Registered: Jun 99 posted 08-23-1999 11:17 PM                     I dont know when the first platters came into operation but the first one I saw here in Australia and also the first xenon I have seen in use here was at a small theatrette here in Melbourne roundabout 1970 - 1971 I also saw one in Sydney in a 2 projector projection room but they wouldnt use the platter they didnt like it ,I dont know how they came to that conclusion if the didnt even use it.The set up I saw in Melbourne in the very early seventies was a ziess projector and platter system and the automation was also a ziess (think thats the way it is spelt).I was told that it was the one of the first used here but may be corrected on this as it was 29 years ago. I first used platters in 1977 they were speccos or were nown back then as Drive-In Theatre Manufacturing Co. These were used with Bauer U3s. ------------------  |  IP: Logged Robert Throop Master Film Handler Posts: 412 From: Vernon, NY USA Registered: Jun 99 posted 08-24-1999 07:59 PM                     The modern platter was invented by Willie Burth, a German projectionist in the late 1960's. Old Cameron and Richardson projection books (pre 1920) refer to the Feaster no rewind device. This was a horizontal top magazine with the film feeding from the center just as with a platter. The film took up on a special reel with a removable hub. Each reel was stored tails up and placed in the top magazine for threading. I also remember seeing a picture of a similar device in an American Cinematographer article about the movie industry in the Soviet Union in the mid sixties. Bob ------------------  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 08-25-1999 10:17 AM                     The first comercial platter was the Kintone rotomatic based on burths patent the first american was the simplex areomatic built by Potts then came Christie and then the infamous green slyme (the rank/prime energy unit)  |  IP: Logged David Kilderry Master Film Handler Posts: 355 From: Melbourne Australia Registered: Sep 1999 posted 09-12-1999 05:21 AM                        I believe the Kinoton (previously Philips)platter was first. I also understand it reaped an Oscar in one of the technical catagories. I have used many platters, but this remains my favorite.The reinforcing fins under a Speco LP270 not only blow film on the plate below, but after 10 years of gently resting my head on a Kinotons underside whilst changing trailers, I was almost knocked unconscious when moving to a Speco!  |  IP: Logged

All times are Central (GMT -6:00)

Printer-friendly view of this topic

Hop To: Select a Forum: Category: Operations -------------------- Digital Cinema Forum Film Handlers' Forum Large Format Forum Ground Level Feature Info, Trailer Attachments & REAL Credit Offsets Category: Community -------------------- Film-Yak Film Handlers' Movie Reviews The Afterlife Bob Maar's Joke-A-Thon Category: Classified -------------------- Equipment and Supplies Wanted/For Sale Help Wanted/Seeking Employment Category: System -------------------- Software Beta Testing Forum

The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.