1. Mechanism of Camera showing Threading of Film 28 2. The "Pin" Frame 67 3. The First Picture of the Four-spoke Wheel 97 4. Apparent Stillness of Spokes while Wheel is Moving 98 5. Apparent Backward Motion of Spokes while Wheel is Running Forwards 99 6. When Wheel is seen to be Moving Naturally 100 7. Curious Illusion of seeing Twice the Number of Spokes in the Wheel 102 8. Mechanism of the Noguès Camera 115 9. The Ingenious Radio-cinematographic Apparatus devised by Monsieur M. J. Carvallo 151 10. Dr. Comandon's Radio-cinematographic Apparatus 157
Profit and pleasure combine to win recruits for the art of animated photography. As an entertainment offered to the public, the moving-pictures have had no rival. Their popularity has been remarkable and universal. It increases daily, and, since we are only now beginning to see the magnitude of what the cinematograph can effect, it is not likely to diminish. This development has stirred the ambition of the amateur or independent photographer because the field is so vast, fertile, and promising. Remunerative reward is obtainable practically in every phase of endeavour so long as the elements of novelty or originality are manifest. The result is that it is attracting one and all. Animated photography can convey so fascinating and convincing a record of scenes and events that many persons--sportsmen, explorers, and travellers--make use of it.
From the commercial point of view the issue is one of magnetic importance. In all quarters there is an increasing demand for films of prominent topical interest, either of general or local significance. The proprietors of picture palaces have discovered that no films draw better audiences than these. If they deal with a prominent incident like a visit of royalty to the neighbourhood, an important sporting event, a public ceremony, or even, such is human nature, with some disaster to life or property, they will make a stronger appeal for a few days than the general film fare offered at the theatre, because the episode which is uppermost in the mind of the public is what draws and compels public attention. Even, it would seem, when the reality itself has just been witnessed by the audience, its photographic reproduction proves more attractive than all else.