Scultoscope

Richard Whiting patented a design for a coin-operated stereoscope in 1910. The original design would evolve in several stages into what became the Scultoscope in 1922.

The first design is a multi-view stereoscope in which the mechanism consists of a cylindrical spool to which metal holders for stereoviews are attached. The holders provide space for paper stereoviews placed back-to-back. The viewer contains two lens panels on opposite sides, allowing two observers to simultaneously view the back-to-back stereoviews.

In a second and third patent, the mechanism was refined and the rotating knob used to advance the images was replaced by a push-button mechanism. This design was actually produced, probably only in a single-lens-panel version.

The fourth patent from 1922 describes the fully metal viewer distributed under the name Scultoscope. The Scultoscope was primarily a coin-operated stereoscope. The viewer accommodates six sets of 15 cards, plus 6 title cards identifying the series. Versions of the Scultoscope without a coin mechanism also exist.

Specifications:

Patents and registrations:

Number: 963841
View exhibiting apparatus
Filing: 12-07-1910, Applicant(s): Richard Ross Whiting. via: worldwide.espacenet.com

Number: 979117
Card exhibiting device
Filing: 20-12-1910, Applicant(s): Richard Ross Whiting. via: worldwide.espacenet.com

Number: 1062068
Card exhibiting device
Filing: 20-05-1913, Applicant(s): Richard Ross Whiting. via: worldwide.espacenet.com

Number: 1436742
Card exhibiting device
Filing: 28-11-1922, Applicant(s): Richard Ross Whiting. via: worldwide.espacenet.com

Further reading: