THE VERSATILITY and range of diversification of Kinevox, Inec., Burbank, Calif., is exemplified in the recent completion by the company of two contracts for Disneyland display controls.
Kinevox. which manufacturers the well-known line of magnetic film and tape recorders bearing the same name, was given contracts to design and build electronic reproducing and control equipment for the American Motors and the TWA displays at Disneyland Park.
For the American Motors’ Circarama exhibit (described elsewhere in this issued) Kinevox, Inc., supplied the four- track 35mm magnetic sound reproducers and built the complete projection control units for the system.
Chief problem for this exhibit was making operation of the eleven 16mm projectors an automatic function. The Circarama film show runs for a period of 15 minutes. then after a pause, is repeated. The picture and sound films form a continuous loop.
The Kinevox control was so designed as to allow continuous operation or to stop operation at the end of any pre- selected cycle. If film breaks in any one of the eleven projectors, or if any other type of trouble develops, the affected projector is automatically disconnected from the system. The rest of the projectors continue running until end of the cycle is completed, at which time the fault or damage which has occurred is repaired.
A unique feature of the control system is a “sentinel” circuit which automatically checks the whole system at the end of each cycle. Thus, if no faults are detected, the machines are automatically set in motion again for the next cycle of operation. On a control panel are two banks of indicator lamps—one that indicates film break or projector failure and the other that a lamp needs replacement.
For the TWA Rocket Trip to the Moon. Kinevox supplied the 35mm four- track magnetic sound reproducers and the elaborate dual control system for two ships.
The “Trip to The Moon’ takes approximately 15 minutes. When the attendant presses a button on the control panel, it sets in motion 16mm film projectors and the sound reproducers. The passengers in the ship hear the pilot welcoming them aboard and his short description of the trip they are about to take. What follows is a combination of visual, aural and physical sensations which are automatically set in’ motion and controlled by the unique Kinevox equipment. There is the sound and the vibration of the rocket motors being started. the lights being dimmed, etc.. all through an ingenious arrangement of liming switch cams, relays, agastats, selsyn and synchronous motors.
At the end of the cycle, the equipment shuts down and everything is in sync again for the next trip.
Two Eastman 16mm projectors are employed, and by the use of mirrors the picture is projected both on the upper and lower scaning ports. When the ship makes a turn at the moon. the roar of the rocket engines and the vibration caused by the power turn, together with the picture of the rocket blast, makes the trip very realistic.
Timing is held to split-second accuracy and everything is interlocked so that the sensation of the ride will always be the same.
A complete standby system of controls is always in readiness in the event there should be a breakdown.
