Planox Stéréoscope Magnétique

The Planox Stéréoscope Magnétique has an unusual mechanism. Whereas in most tray-based stereoscopes the slide is lifted from the tray by metal fingers from below, the Planox uses magnets that lift the slides from the tray from above. For this purpose, each glass stereoview must be fitted with a metal strip so that the slide becomes magnetic.

Operation
The front of the device can be opened. The tray containing the glass stereoviews, which are fitted with metal strips, is placed inside the housing on a metal carriage. By pressing the lever on the right-hand side downward, a slide is lifted from the tray by the magnets. The lever then springs back to its original position and the stereoview can be viewed. By pressing the lever downward again, the slide is returned to the tray and the tray moves so that the next image is selected.

At the top of the lever there is a rotary knob. If the lever is pressed downward and the knob is turned to the right, the lever remains fixed in the downward position. The tray can then be moved freely using a small slider on the right-hand side, allowing rapid navigation to a specific image. An index indicates the number of the selected image.

Models:
In addition to the standard model, the following versions also existed:

Simplifié
Introduced in 1917, the Simplifié is a more basic model without slide index.

Universel
The Universel model supports three different formats in a single device: 45 x 107, 6 x 13, and 7 x 13.

Rotatif
The Rotatif accommodates 100 stereoviews in four slide trays shaped as quadrants of a circle. Together, the four trays form a 360-degree wheel. The trays are inserted from the side.

Specifications:

Patents:

Number: 453451
Stéréoscope classeur magnétique
Filing: 22-01-1913, Publication: 09-06-1913, Applicant(s): Noel, Modeste. via: data.inpi.fr

Number: 18733E
Stéréoscope classeur magnétique
Filing: 06-01-1914, Publication: 18-06-1914, Applicant(s): Noel, Modeste. via: data.inpi.fr

Number: 23679E
Stéréoscope classeur magnétique
Filing: 02-10-1920, Publication: 15-12-1921, Applicant(s): Noel, Modeste. via: data.inpi.fr

Number: 565336
Stéréoscope perfectionné
Filing: 21-04-1923, Publication: 24-01-1924, Applicant(s): Noel, Modeste / Albéric Alfred Plocq. via: data.inpi.fr

Further reading: