Les Mann Mannscope projector

Datecirca 1925

DescriptionBlack metal projector on a rectangular base. One side a rectangular box which has a bulb inside and a lens. Circular compartment at the top has a side that opens on a hinge which would hold the 35mm film. Below this compartment is a section where the film would be fed through and a magnifier lens would project the image onto a screen. Another lower circular compartment gathers the film as it is fed through and spools it back into shape. Gears on the side assist in this process and are attached to a knob which turns and works a small metal triangular piece between the lens and the box with the bulbs. There is a rectangular red spray painted shape on the top of the base. A metal placard on the side reads "Mannscope / Manufactured by The Leslie Mann Sportology Corp. / Springfield Mass / 108 / Patent Applied For."

Bio/Historical NoteLes Mann played outfield in the Major Leagues from 1913 to 1928. He played for the Boston Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, New York Giants, and Chicago Cubs. He organized a baseball school that had Rogers Hornsby, Grover Cleveland Alexander and George Sisler as instructors. By 1924, Mann had a business called Leslie Mann Coaching System based in Bloomington, Indiana. He was an early adopter of film to enhance baseball and football instruction. The Mannscope projector was a film projector capable of stopping on an arbitrary frame, allowing the instructor to illustrate the finer details of a skill. It was capable of operating in reverse as well and was a precursor to the video systems prevalent today in all levels of sports instruction.

Object numberB-2016-0351

Artist, Creator, or Manufacturer The Leslie Mann Sportology Corp.

Subject Mann, Les, 1892-1962

Attributes

Classificationstelecommunication equipment

Dimensions6 x 18.25 x 16.75 in.

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