A History Of The Magic Lantern - Page 9
The "Professors"
"The Palmy days of the Polytechnic" Some of the most complex and spectacular lantern shows were presented at the Royal Polytechnic Institution, 309, Regent Street, London (founded 1838). The screens at the Polytechnic were about 25 feet across, musicians accompanied the shows, a team of sound effects people were assembled behind the screen.. The projectionists often used four five or six large format projectors to present their fabulous shows of spectacular dissolving views. The Royal Polytechnic Institution closed in 1876 and the slides were auctioned off in 1882 for a total of £900. |
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 Professor John Henry Pepper (1821-1900) raised many a ghost at the Royal Polytechnic Institution |
| Improvements in light sources brought changes in the style of shows. The development of Oxy-hydrogen limelight and Arc light made it possible for projectionist to create huge images and elaborate effects in front of large audiences. |  The projection box at the Polytechnic |
Simpler types of lantern were also improved with the introduction of the mineral oil lamp. This allowed people to present shows in small halls and churches, the educational value of the lantern improved dramatically. In the 1870's and 1880's there was a full flowering of the lantern industry, companies such as Carpenter and Westley, Newton and Bamforth produced lanterns and slides for every occasion and location. In the 1880's and 1890's up to 28 firms were engaged in the production of lanterns and slides in London alone.
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