MOTIOGRAPH PROJECTION LENS

Enterprise Optical Mfg. Company, 83-91 W. Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois 1908-1915?

Primary projection lens for an early Motiograph 35mm motion picture projector, probably from about 1908-1915.

Enterprise Optical, a subsidiary of Sears, Roebuck & Company, produced the Optigraph and Motiograph projector lines that were carried through Sears, Roebuck, also of Chicago, and other photographic supply houses. Alvah Curtis Roebuck, co-founder of Sears, Roebuck & Company, was Enterprise Optical's president and treasurer from 1897-1909.

This particular style of projection lens with a helical sleeve for focusing, differs from the more commonly seen rack-and-pinion arrangement. The lens measures 3.35 inches in length, with the base of the barrel measuring 2.45 inches wide and an inner barrel width of 1.67 inches. The mounting threads measure 56mm. The barrel is stamped "ECo Motiograph, Chicago".

Motiograph's earliest projectors are not seen very often, and when found, are not usually equipped with their original Motiograph lens.

From The Moving Picture World June, 1908