Molteni projection lantern

Description

Replica of a Molteni projection lantern or “magic” lantern. The mechanism at the back is patented in the name of the Boulade brothers.
This lantern was used for the first cinematographic projections, including with the Lumière Cinematograph.
The light came from an electric arc that was formed between the two graphite electrodes placed in the black box. The small tinted windows on each side allowed the projectionist to check the distance between the two electrodes during the projection.