THE “MECHANICAL” PEEP-SHOW
SECRETS OF LIGHTNING TRANSFORMATIONS
THERE is another variety of peep-show well worthy of attention. It is
known as the “mechanical” peep-show. A short account of the finished
show will not be out of place before proceeding with a more detailed
description.
Upon looking through the peep-holes the interior of a cottage is
perceived, including side wings. The next moment, however, a faint click
is heard--and the interior of the cottage miraculously vanishes, giving
place to a scene in a forest glade!
The simplest and most satisfactory manner of explaining this marvelous
transformation is to describe how one of these “mechanical” shows may be
made.
Procure a wooden box similar to the first of those employed in the
manufacture of the previous show. Having decided upon the number of
peep-holes, cut them out in the manner already described. Another “stage
front” must then be fixed in position about 3 inches from the peep-holes
(Fig. 1). For the sake of convenience it is advisable to turn the box
upside down, with the lid at the bottom instead of the top. This will
permit the interior of the show being attended to without unnecessarily
disturbing the mechanism.
Having, for the time being, finished with the body of the peep-show,
turn your attention to the internal parts. These are by no means
complicated.
[Illustration: FIG. 1.--Handles and tin clip for holding scenes.]
First obtain a piece of white drawing-card, and cut it to fit exactly
the back of the box. Then take another piece, half the size of the
first, and hinge it by means of a strip of linen and gum to the center
as shown in A A, Fig. 2.
With the flap thus formed hanging downwards, place the card upon the
table, and proceed to paint thereon a forest scene (C, Fig. 2). If a
suitable illustration can be procured from a magazine it will only be
necessary to paste it on the card and carefully trim the edges.
[Illustration: FIG. 2.--A double-barreled scene.]
Having satisfactorily completed the forest scene, bend the flap upwards,
thus hiding the picture, leaving in its place a blank piece of card.
Brushes and paints must again be employed, and the blank card
transformed to the interior of a cottage. The result is the
“double-barreled” scene represented by Fig. 2. A glance at this diagram
makes it apparent that by simply dropping down, or lifting up, the
hinged flap D, the scene can be changed at the will of the operator.
Fig. 3 is an example of one of the wings employed in the show. Like the
scene, it is “double-barreled.” A strip of white cardboard is the first
requisite. Its size will be dependent upon the dimensions of the show.
[Illustration: FIG. 3.--Part of double-barreled wing.]
Draw a line down the center of the card (Fig. 3). Then proceed to paint
upon one side of this line a section of a tree, or some other piece of
forest foliage (A, Fig. 3). Having done this, turn the card over and
paint upon the reverse side a curtain, window, or anything else
suggesting a cottage interior at B, Fig. 3. This double wing must then
be carefully cut out in the manner shown.
Next take a piece of wood slightly longer than the wing, and about
¹⁄₄-inch wide by ¹⁄₈-inch thick. Glue this to the center of the wing as
shown at C, Fig. 3. A closer reference to this diagram reveals that the
strip of wood is whittled to a point at E; also that a wire “handle” is
fixed to the other extremity, D. At present, however, this “handle”
should be held in reserve.
Three other wings have also to be made. Fig. 4 suggests the various
forms they may take.
The segments of the show are now complete, and all that remains is to
put them together.
First take the hinged scene and fix it in the end of the box opposite
the peep-holes. To prevent the flap falling down at an inopportune
moment and displaying the wrong scene, a slit must be made at the top of
the box and a small strip of tin inserted (B, Fig. 1). This strip of tin
is also shown at B, Fig. 2. It will be found that when this is pushed
down, it clips on the flap D, holding it against C.
On being pulled up, however, the flap is released, and, falling down,
changes the picture. To lift the flap again, attach a piece of thread to
one corner, carrying the loose end out through a small hole in the back
of the box.
The wings should be placed in the interior of the show, in the position
illustrated by Fig. 4. The wooden point at the base of each wing acts as
a pivot in a small hole made in the bottom of the box. Four
corresponding holes must also be bored at the top.
The wire “handles” next claim attention. They should be pushed through
the small hole, as shown in Fig. 1, and fixed firmly in each wing. The
holes must, in every case, be large enough to permit the wings to
revolve easily and with the least possible resistance.
Each “handle” is connected by a straight piece of wire having both ends
bent in the form of a small ring (G, Fig. 4). It will also be noticed in
this diagram that one of these “handles” has a considerably longer shank
than the others (H, Fig. 4). This is to enable the showman to bring
about the transformation previously explained.
[Illustration: FIG. 4.--Simultaneous revolving wings.]
A glance at Fig. 4 will make it apparent that when H is turned, the four
wings revolve also. Thus the wings for the forest scene may be suddenly
switched out of sight, and those for the interior of the cottage
displayed, or _vice versa_, at the will of the operator. To prevent the
wings revolving too far, a small block of wood should be nailed to the
bottom of the box at the base of the first wing, in the position shown
by X, Fig. 4.
The mechanical peep-show is now finished. After the showman has grouped
his audience at the peep-holes, and all is ready for the transformation,
he simply turns the wire handle with one hand, and with the other
simultaneously raises the clip securing the back scene. All that is
heard by those at the peep-holes is a faint click as the wings revolve.
Then they perceive, with no little bewilderment, that in some
inexplicable manner the interior of the show has been completely
changed. The showman will be wise to refrain from permitting them
further to examine the apparatus, however, for when they realize the
absurdly simple mechanism by which the transformation is wrought, their
bewilderment will vanish even more rapidly than do the scenes
themselves.