Summary

Alternative Name(s): Flipper Viewer

Clockwork Kinora. It allows a sequences of photographic images, attached to a rotating reel, to be seen in rapid succession, providing the appearance of movement. Kinora reels ran for around 30 seconds.

The Kinora was invented by Lumière in France in 1896; the rights were later bought by the British Mutoscope & Biograph Company in 1898. Kinoras could be rented or bought for home use, and have been described as the first home movie entertainment system. Photographs of families could be taken in studios and made into Kinora reels; from 1908 a camera was sold that allowed people to make their own Kinora reels. The Kinora was short-lived, however: in 1914 its London factory burned down, and production of Kinora machines ceased.

Francis collection.

Physical Description

Wooden body on stand. Body comprises lens for light source at front, cavity inside in which image reel is housed, and a handle on the side for turning the reel. The body is mounted on a metal column, with pivot points on top; column is mounted on circular wood base. Reel is secured at centre with circular brass plate, with inscription.

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