Motion Pictures and Science

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 538, 15 December 1928, Page 2 (Supplement)

Motion Pictures and Science

i'rdzn its ability to record motion, it is obvious that the motion picture can be made to illustrate, analyse, and subsequently to study any phenomenon which cannot be as thoroughly illustrated by the still picture. Most of us are more familiar with the use of the motion picture in the applied sciences rather than in the Held of p , u , re science - In the limited space of this brief article, only the most casual reterence can be made to some of the more prominent uses in both fields. In biology, the motion picture has played an important part in the study of the development of the embryo, particularly of the egg. It lias also been used with great success to study the circulation of the blood, and to observe the life and action of some of the largest of the microbes.

In botany, the motion picture has been used with very popular results in studying the growth of plants, through the use of an intermittent stop motion camera, making single exposures at considerable intervals, so that a period of growth covering days or even weeks ts reproduced in a period of a few minutes, thus showing the entire life of a plant from the sprouting of the seed to its death, due to age, In the space of a single reel of less than 1,000 feet.

In industrial chemistry, many interesting motion pictures have been made by difierent manufacturers for the purpose of describing chemical processes as used by them. In these, the use of animated drawing has met with signal success, as it permits of much clearer analysis than is possible in the limits of straight cinematography. For several years the motion picture has been used in a medical way, one of the best illustrations being the operation of the electro-cardiagraph for recording and studying the heart auction in people subject to trouble in that organ.

In modern surgery, motion pictures of operations are beginning to assume a great deal of importance, as it has been found that very excellent records of the technique are obtainable at much closer range than is possible for the average student at the clinic. These clinical motion pictures can be run over and over again at normal or

MR. BERT ROYLE Bert Royie is a name to conjure with in the theatrical world of New Zealand. Though administrative duties as general manager for J. C. Williamson, Ltd., keep him in Wellington now, in days gone by his trim figure was a popular one from the Bluff to North Auckland.

The debonair appearance, the neatly*trinimed old-style moustache and beard all strengthen the impression that Bert Royie was born with an artistic temperament. When he landed in Sydney from his native London 40 years ago, he found employment as baritone singer with an Italian opera company. From opera, Royie went on to the dramatic stage, and from there, in recognition of some songs and comedies he had written, Mr. J. C. Williamson gave him a commission to write the libretto for pantomimes, then enjoying great popularity. Twenty years ago Mr. Royl© was placed in charge of the J. C. Williamson Interests in New Zealand, which trust he has ably fulfilled.

tAid in Surgery, Botany and Engineering

slower speeds, or even with occasional stops, to study every detail or tech-

An interesting application of the high speed camera has been in the aviation service, where it was first used to observe the flight of pigeons, in order to assist in the design of airplane wings, and also of airplane propellers. More recently, high speed pictures have been made of airplanes crashing against concrete walls, in order to determine that point on the engine where flames first start after the crash. These Mjcords were made in order to improve on engine design to reduce the explosion hazard. The high speed camera has also been used in gunnery to trace the trajectory of projectiles, and to study the recoil of the guns due to the explosion. Among the most interesting and best known of the recent scientific applications of the motion picture has been through the investigations of De Forest and Hoxie in the recording of sounds by means of light density on the photographic emulsion, and its reproduction later through suitable amplifiers, in complete synchronisation with a simultaneously recorded picture Image upon the same film.

Space forbids further individual mention of the applications of the motion picture as an aid to science, but it seems altogether probable that the rapid expansion in every branch of cinematography will tremendously increase the use of motion pictures by individuals in every branch of pure and applied science.

-ique shown in the operation. It seems altogether probaDie that this method of teaching surgery will surpass all others in the comparatively near future. By the use of the motion picture, the operation of the expert can be rapidly comunicated to thousands of others, with all the perfection of its originator’s technique.

It has been used widely in engineering, to analyse the development and changes observed in construction of all kinds. Also in destruction due to sudden strains, shocks, vibrations. In electricity, it has been used in co-operation with animated drawings to make clear the complicated scientific reactions, such as the functioning of the electron in radiotron tubes.