Film Gate, circa 1895

01

Artifact Overview

A Geneva or Maltese cross movement is a mechanical gear system that transforms a continuous rotating movement into a stepped movement. While the illusion is that the film in a movie projector is running past the lens in a steady stream, each frame must stop for 1/24 of a second in front of the lens. Geneva movements allow this conversion.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Film gate

Date Made

circa 1895

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

29.460.180

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Thomas Alva Edison.

Material

Brass (Alloy)
Iron (Metal)
Wood (Plant Material)

Dimensions

Height: 4.5 in
Width: 4.25 in
Length: 7.5 in