Retro Review Magnajector 1950s Still Image Projection Unit Sold As Children’s Toy Peter-Austin MGG
24Retro Review Magnajector 1950s Still Image Projection Unit Sold As Children’s Toy Peter-Austin MGG
The opaque projector, epidioscope, epidiascope or episcope is a device which displays opaque materials by shining a bright lamp onto the object from above. A system of mirrors, prisms and/or imaging lenses is used to focus an image of the material onto a viewing screen. Because they must project the reflected light, opaque projectors require brighter bulbs and larger lenses than overhead projectors. Care must be taken that the materials are not damaged by the heat generated by the light source. Opaque projectors are not as common as the overhead projector.
Opaque projectors are typically used to project images of book pages, drawings, mineral specimens, leaves, etc. They have been produced and marketed as artists’ enlargement tools to allow images to be transferred to surfaces such as prepared canvas, or for lectures and discourses.
The Magnajector, was an opaque projector, used to project and enlarge pictures on a wall/screen. It was a big success, being sold for 40 years. It was said to have worn out three sets of molds in its production run.
There are two stories of its origin,
One: It was designed by Canadian designer Sid Bersudsky, and manufactured by Peter Austin Mfg. of Toronto. It was also licensed to Rainbow Crafts Inc. of Ohio.
Two: It was designed and originally sold by Rainbow Crafts and licensed to Peter Austin Mfg.
There isn't much info on the Peter Austin Mfg. company except that it was a division of the Kelton Corporation of which there is also little info available, though I found the company registered the Magnajector trademark in the US in 1954, giving some evidence for story One. I never had one as a kid but do remember seeing them in the Popular Mechanics-type magazines of the time.