Using A Filmstrip Projector

Filmstrip projectors were commonly used in classrooms to display individual frames of a “strip” of 35mm positive film on which still images were printed. These would be used in a manner similar to a presentation-software slide show, where one frame would be presented and the instructor would either play a recording that described the slide or image, or read from a printed script supplied with the filmstrip.

Generally, these presentations were from 15 to 30 minutes in length. The film was fed into the bottom of the projector, and a knob on the side would advance the film one full frame through, the already-viewed slides curling up on top of the projector. At the end of the presentation the filmstrip would be wound backwards through the projector and coiled up into a small film can for the next use.

If the presentation was coordinated with a cassette tape or LP recording, frequently there was a short tone or bell that would indicate when the presenter was to flip the filmstrip forward one frame. Woe betide the teacher that missed the tone, because they would be beset by students shouting, “TURN IT!”

Later models of filmstrip projectors had some automation, including combination cassette or LP/projector units which would automatically advance the film with a relay or servo when an inaudible tone on the recording was sounded. The device would hear this tone and trigger the shutter on the film projector, advancing the filmstrip one frame.

Filmstrip projectors largely disappeared in the 1980s, replaced by inexpensive TV/VCR combinations and later, by instructional computers loaded with presentation software such as Microsoft PowerPoint?.