Carousel slide projector

A carousel slide projector is a common form of slide projector, used to create slideshows.

A separate, circular tray holds several slides (usually 20, 36, 80, or 140) 35mm slides, and is filled with each slide placed in upside down and backwards, so that the image is presented with the correct orientation.

The projector body contains a motor which rotates the tray. As the projector is advanced, a reciprocating mechanism pushes the currently loaded slide back out into the tray, then the tray is rotated, dropping the next slide into position between the light source and lens.

The Kodak Carousel/Ektagraphic family of projectors, which have a horizontally mounted tray, are probably the most familiar and common carousel projectors. Less well-known but plentiful are a family of projectors based around a design originated by Sawyer/GAF (makers of the View-Master), and sold under many brand names; these are distinguished by the carousel tray being in an "upright" orientation, like a Ferris wheel.

Simpler tray slide projectors often do not have the carousel form, but use the same mechanism with a linear tray.

During the 1970s, Kodak also produced a "Pocket Carousel" projector for use with miniature 110 format Kodachrome slides.Marcus, Ted R., " [http://www.tedsimages.com/text/comment8.htm APS, 110, "Disc," and Formats du Jour] ", Ted Marcus' Virtual Light Table. Article copyright date 2006, retrieved 2006-11-09.] Marcus, Ted R., " [http://www.tedsimages.com/text/eurfd.htm Europe Through the Front Door] ", Ted Marcus' Virtual Light Table. Article copyright date 2004, retrieved 2006-11-09.]

The Kodak Carousel projector was discontinued in October 2004. [" [http://slideprojector.kodak.com/ Kodak Slide Projectors] ", kodak.com corporate website. Article claimed frozen as of November 2004, retrieved 2006-11-09.]

Popular culture

In 2007, a fictional depiction of the origins of the Carousel name appeared in cable network AMC’s TV series "Mad Men", in an episode entitled “The Wheel” (Season 1, Episode 13).

In the episode, Kodak representatives are depicted meeting at the offices of the fictional ad agency Sterling Cooper to hear their pitch for the introductory advertising campaign. In a poignant tribute to the links between memory, longing, and photographs, the character Don Draper gives this pitch while showing slides of his young family:

"Nostalgia.
"It’s delicate, but potent…
"Teddy told me that in Greek, nostalgia literally means the pain from an old wound.
"It’s a twinge in your heart, far more powerful than memory alone.
"This device… isn’t a spaceship, it’s a time machine.
"It goes backwards, forwards.
"It takes us to a place where we ache to go again.
"It’s not called the Wheel.
"It’s called the Carousel.
"It lets us travel the way a child travels.
"Around and around and back home again, to a place where we know we are loved.

References