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Epidiascope used to project transparent slides and opaque images, circa 1945.
About the object
About the object
The epidiascope was one of the earliest projectors used in schools.
Its purpose was to project enlarged images onto a screen or wall for the class to view.
It could sit on a stand and be wheeled from classroom to classroom.
How it works
How it works
The epidiascope has two projectors. The diascope projects a transparent image on a glass slide. It projects light through the slide and the tapered projector lens which magnifies and projects it.
The episcope projects an opaque image or object, such as the page of a book, diagram, specimen, map or photograph. The object is laid flat on the tray under the machine.
The episcope has a system of light and mirrors to reflect the image to the short wide episcope lens which magnifies and projects it.
Significance
Significance
The epidiascope provides an example of one of the first portable projection technologies used in schools. The 1952 Education Gazette advertisement promotes it as a tool for visual education.
It provides an example of an electric 1940s-50s classroom technology. Electricity itself was quite new at that time. North Ryde Public School was connected to electricity in 1936.
Object details
Object details
Date – circa 1940s
Creator – Ross London
Place – England
Materials – metal body, glass mirrors and lenses, canvas flap, wooden handles
Dimensions – height 61.5cm, length 69cm (base), width 32.7cm (base)
Look closer
Look closer
The top lens is the episcope. It uses a strong light, mirrors and thick magnifying lenses to project an opaque image such as a page from a book.
EpidiascopeYouTube | NSW Schoolhouse Museum of Public Education (1:49min) | Video transcript | Alternate video link
Think and wonder
Think and wonder
See
See
Can you see the slider that holds glass slides?
Look for the tray that holds an opaque object and the lever that can raise or lower the tray.
Which is the short episcope lens and long diascope lens?
Think
Think
Why is there a door on the side of the machine? What is inside?
What does the brass diagonal line on the diascope lens indicate? What is the function of that part of the projector lens?
What opaque objects might teachers want to project in lessons?
How is the epidiascope similar and different to projection technologies today?
Wonder
Wonder
What does the epidiascope make you wonder about?
What questions do you have about the epidiascope?
Do
Do
Use a see-think-wonder template to record your observations and reflections.
Label the parts of an epidiascope.
Save or download the image of the epidiascope.
Use an annotation app, or write on a printed copy, to label the parts.
Explore and connect
Explore and connect
Advertisement for an epidiascope in The Education Gazette 1 December 1952, NSW
Epidiascope advertisement, 1952
Epidiascope advertisement, 1952
This 1952 advertisement by Kodak (Australasia) Pty Ltd advertises the Ross epidiascope held in the NSW Schoolhouse Museum collection.
It is advertised in the NSW Education Gazette as an aid for visual education.
The page also advertises two other epidiascope projectors - the megadiascope and Universal-Janulus.
What uses are suggested for using an epidiascope in school?
What feature/s make it ideal for instruction in a lesson?
Glass lantern slides of scenes from the Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, circa 1900s to 1920s. Dimensions - 8cm x 8cm.
Glass slides, circa 1920
Glass slides, circa 1920
Glass slides are a type of photographic image. The image is printed onto a piece of glass and a clear piece is laid over it.
A cardboard frame and edging binds them together and covers the sharp edges of the glass. Read more about lantern slides.
The images covered a wide range of subject matter from everyday life to distant places. Glass slides were used in magic lanterns, diascopes and epidiascopes.
The glass slides pictured here are from a set of images of scenes from the Shakespeare play, the Merchant of Venice. The first is inscribed, 'Here he comes' and the second, 'How now, Tubal! hast thou found my daughter?'
What tools and technologies replace glass slides today?
Magic lantern projector with oil or spirit lamp inside, circa 1890.
Spirit or oil lamp inside magic lantern projector, circa 1890.
Magic lantern, circa 1890
Magic lantern, circa 1890
This simple magic lantern projector projected pictures onto a screen or wall.
Images were illuminated by a small spirit or oil lamp with a naked burning flame. It was about as bright as a candle. The pipe at the top of the box is the chimney for the smoke from the flame.
Small, hand-coloured pictures painted on glass slides were projected. They were used in some schools.
Some teachers manufactured their own magic lantern slides:
Teacher and headmaster John Saunders Middenway won awards for his lantern slides in the 1900s – noted in The Australian Star 21 April 1906.
The teacher appointed to the travelling school in Narrabri Inspectorate in 1909 was skilled in using a magic lantern and creating glass slides – noted in the Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser, on 13 January 1909.
Timeline of projection technologies in schools
Timeline of projection technologies in schools
1870s to 1930s – magic lantern
Mid 1930s to 1960s – epidiascope
Late 1940s to 1980s – filmstrip and slide projectors
1970s to early 2000s – overhead projectors
2000s to present – data projectors
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands of people using this site. Is, always was, always will be – Aboriginal land.
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