Ancient Technology

This entry was published at least two years ago (originally posted on November 5, 2007). Since that time the information may have become outdated or my beliefs may have changed (in general, assume a more open and liberal current viewpoint). A fuller disclaimer is available.

16mm Film ProjectorMy anthropology teacher had shown the class directly before ours a movie using an actual 16mm film projector, and was rewinding it when we all came in and sat down. I got a kick out of seeing one in use — heck, I was the A/V geek in elementary school who always volunteered to run the projector when I could — but the look of confusion, wonder, and near-horror on the face of one girl in the class was absolutely hilarious.

“What is that thing? How old is it…when was it made, the forties? Thirties?” She watched, absolutely fascinated, as the teacher ran out the last few minutes of film and we listened to the clickety-clack of the gears and rachets and the warbling, jittery audio; as he raised the rear reel and threaded the trailer back in to the hub; and as he patiently waited for the ‘whap-whap-whap’ of the leader slapping against the projector that signaled that the film was done rewinding.