The combination of electrical effects with mechanical devices adds to the complication of work but produces the most attractive displays yet known to the art. Such designs range from very simple effects to the most bewildering productions, and are only limited by the skill and genius of the decorator.
We explain in this chapter examples of the different grades of this work.
ELECTRIC ILLUMINATED FOUNTAIN.
ILLUMINATED SCENIC BACKGROUND.
First the outlines of the trees are painted on heavy board and cut out, as are the “wings” in a scene at the theater. A village, with a pretty scene, houses and churches in the distance, etc., is then painted, and the profile of the steeples, chimneys, gables, etc., also cut out. About two inches back of this is set a frame in which is puffed a sunburst of white china silk. Behind this, again at a distance of two inches, is set another frame covered with tissue paper, as is shown in the next diagram.
A short distance back of this tissue frame is placed a window glass, as a protection to the paper from the electric lights, twenty-four of which were hung in circular forms back of all, the lights following the form of the sunburst. The effect is simply gorgeous, the silk sunburst taking all the tintings of the tissue paper screen and the colors blending in perfect harmony, from the rosy tints of the rising sun to the deep purple tones of the sky. It puzzles observers to know how this brilliant effect is created; but you know how to do it now, and can try it yourself. It will be sure to attract attention and excite admiration. This is the invention of Leonard Shogran.
DESIGN SHOWING ELECTRIC SCENIC BACKGROUND.—Shogran.