On this day in 1893 Steele Mackaye was granted the patent for APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING INCREASED REALISM IN SCENIC EFFECTS. U.S. Patent No. 490,490.
This invention relates to apparatus for producing scenic effects, and the primary object is to increase realism in such performances or entertainments. To this end an improved means for producing various scenic effects in imitation of natural or other scenery, and means for making various combinations for the attainment of any desired scenic effect, or the exhibition of any desired performance, the several appliances being particularly designed for the presentation or representation of important historical or other events-for instance, the discovery of America by Columbus, the burning of Rome, or the like-and the peculiar combination of apparatus permitting a vivid illustration or imitation in such exhibitions of various occurrences and natural or other scenery, either on land or water, in such manner as to give the effect of the actual occurrence and to represent persons or objects, either moving or stationary, and places and things situated at near and distant points as they appear to the eye of an observer located at any particular point; near and distant moving objects being made to move at different rates of speed for the production of perspective moving scenic effects.
This invention consists primarily in a combination of movable stages adapted to support and carry such scenic arrangements, machinery, property or persons as may be required for the exhibition or performance, and which are capable of being moved and combined upon the foundation floor of the scenic department of a theater, public hail or other place of amusement in such manner as to produce the desired scenic effect, or to facilitate any desired instantaneous modification in the scenic arrangements. Secondly: – In a combination of movable stages for making combinations for the attainment of the desired scenic arrangement or effect, together with guiding rails, cables and other suitable directing or steering apparatus and actuating mechanism for causing the stages to move at the same or at different rates of speed, as may be desired, for the production of perspective or other moving scenic effects, and for the improvement and increase of realism in such performances or exhibitions. Thirdly: – In various combinations of movable stages and stage appliances with improved weather-making apparatuses, illuminating and coloring devices, and cloud and cloud-shadow makers, for the production of various storm effects, the illumination and coloring of the scenery, and the imitation of clouds and cloud-shadows moving through the sky or over the land or water scenic arrangements; – and finally, in certain details of construction and combinations of parts.
