posted 11-12-2004 01:00 PM                       

Linear Loop is really neat technology, but the noise level is on the high side. Inventor L. Ron Schmidt was a "Pioneer".

http://www.businesswire.com/webbox/bw.011000/200100215.htm

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The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. L. Ron Schmidt and Iwerks' patented Linear Loop(R) Film Projector technology have joined Iwerks founder Don Iwerks as recipients of an award bestowed by the Academy.
Schmidt, inventor of Iwerks Entertainment's patented Linear Loop Film Projector technology, was recently announced as the recipient of an Academy Award(R) for Scientific and Technical achievement for the Linear Loop's superior concept, design and engineering. Iwerks acquired the patent for the Linear Loop technology as part of its acquisition of Pioneer Technology Corporation in 1997, founded by Schmidt and Iwerks' Senior Vice President of Operations Don Stults, in 1976.
Schmidt will receive his award from the Scientific and Technical Academy Award Committee in a special ceremony Saturday, March 4, 2000, at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. Iwerks founder Don Iwerks was awarded the Gordon E. Sawyer Award in 1998 by the Academy Board of Governors in recognition of his exceptional long-term accomplishments toward the advancement of the science and technology in the entertainment industry.
"Ron has developed a truly superior product and we wish to congratulate him on this tremendous achievement. The Linear Loop projection system is a key element of many Iwerks projects, including our successful Iwerks Extreme Screen(TM) Theatres being installed currently in locations throughout the world," said Charles Goldwater, Iwerks' president and chief executive officer.
"This Academy Award, and the award bestowed on our founder Don Iwerks in 1998, are testament to the continuing superior nature of Iwerks technology, and we look forward to continuing Iwerks' advances in technology as we create new and compelling entertainment experiences for our clients."
The award-winning Iwerks Linear Loop technology is in operation throughout the world in both new and existing Iwerks locations, including Large Format theatres and attractions in Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America. Iwerks' motion picture film projectors, equipped with Linear Loop technology, provide superior print handling, image steadiness, screen illumination and enhanced viewer experience by means of an ingenious, yet extremely simple, air-driven mechanical transport system.
"In the spirit of our Academy Award-winning founder, Iwerks Entertainment began with the vision of providing superior technology to the entertainment community," said Stults. "Iwerks' investment in Linear Loop technology and Mr. Schmidt have been rewarded over the years through the tremendous presentation capabilities it delivers for our clients and their customers, and now that technology has been recognized by an equally significant community, the Academy. We are proud to be associated with Ron and his award-winning development."

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Leland Ronald Schmidt, or Ronnie as his mother always called him, was the born in Los Angeles on June 15, 1931 during the Great Depression. He was the first and only son of Alice Marie and Bruno Leland Schmidt. He loved the ocean and especially fishing.
Ron went to work in a machine shop for Leroy Richardson when he was 17. The things he learned there formed the basis of his future career, but then the Korean War intervened. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1950 and was one of only 13 men out of 5 companies selected to go to machinist school in Illinois. He spent four years as a machinist on tour throughout the Pacific. He visited many exotic ports including Japan, Hawaii, Korea and Vietnam. He greatly enjoyed his travels and had a special affection for Japan and it’s culture. He experienced some momentous events as well. He was just a few miles from the test site, Eniwetok atoll, where the first H-bomb was dropped in 1952. He also participated in the evacuation of Hai Phong long before the U.S. became embroiled in the Vietnam War.

Upon his return to the states, Ron resumed his career as a machinist. Ron rapidly worked his way up to machine shop supervisor and then tried his hand at drafting. He quickly picked up on designing and became an engineer. Though he always wished he had gone to college, he did exceptionally well learning on his own. He became a top-notch engineer and was promoted to Chief Engineer at Richardson Camera Company.

One evening on a business flight home in 1975, he struck up a conversation with another passenger. By the end of the flight, he’d been hired to design a projector and was shocked to realize that he was now in business for himself. He set up shop in Burbank where he remained for over 20 years doing business as L. Ron Schmidt & Associates.

His knowledge of camera and projector design made him a leader in his field. One of his cameras even flew on the space station "Sky Lab." His cameras and projectors were used in dozens of movies and entertainment venues including Star Wars, the Black Hole, Back to the Future Ride, Hearst Castle, Luxor, Speed, Titanic, and Godzilla.

His creative genius reached its peak when he designed the revolutionary Linear Loop Projector that earned him a Technical Achievement Academy Award. He was awarded this high honor on March 4th, 2000 and it was the proudest moment of his life. "It is a machine that is about as simple as anyone could build anything. Its one of those kind of things that you would say to yourself, why didn't I think of that. ... that is genius". Don Iwerks, CEO Iwerks Entertainment.

His days of flying his home built ultralight aircraft being over, the last five years were split between work and growing roses. Ron opened a new shop in Simi Valley in September 1999 and planned to enjoy semi-retirement. He was going to take it easy and spend time tinkering with dozens of ideas he had for new inventions such as a self-retracting fishing reel that he originally conceived in 1960.

Ron Schmidt passed away on August 24th, 2000. Donations can be made in Ron’s name to the "Cure for Lymphoma Foundation", 215 Lexington Ave., New York, NY.

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posted 11-12-2004 07:39 PM                 

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen

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Where's that Phil guy that could elaborate a bit more on this... it was his baby after all......

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While I could tell you horrific stories about Pioneer, Ron, and the political problems at Iwerks in dealing with trying to improve and "engineer" the fine "idea" of the Linear Loop projector... I'll hold my tongue in the interest of professionalism and with respect to those that have passed on.

My "contribution" to the Linear Loop projector was not only improving the original concept but trying to document it and make it manufactureable. ...Getting rid of all the mechanical bits and pieces and crappy sleeve couplings and set screws and crappy bearings and ...etc!

When Iwerks originally bought Pioneer, it was a "garage-shop" operation without any documentation or standards. Everything was poorly hand made/machined and not interchangeable. While the concept was great, the 1st group of several projectors were junk and failed miserably in the field.

I improved the original design as well as built dual-head 35mm and 870 3D machines as well as a 35mm SOF theatreatrical machine.

There are many advantages to the Linear Loop projector besides the light increase. It was a natural for simulator rides and repeat shows as the film could be stored R2R and rewind through the projector without the need for an expensive "loop cabinet" system. It was also capable of cueing multiple film titles at a moment's notice and thus gave the venue several options as what show was going to be presented.

Mark is correct in that the Linear Loop system has a very fast "pulldown" and thus can afford a 33% increased shutter efficiency over conventional projectors.

He is also correct that control box was a POS! I could NOT get any $$$ to re-design it and make it intuitive and reliable. (DAMN politics!)

Nuff said....

BTW: It wasn't "my baby"... I was just the guy with the whip that made the specs and decisions, oh and deadlines...

>>> Phil

posted 11-15-2004 09:26 AM                       

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Giant Screen Film:
BEARS

Giant Screen Film:
Pulse:
a STOMP Odyssey

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