Remember the Bell & Howell slide projector?

The Bell & Howell Slide Projector was a popular piece of technology in the 20th century, used to display slides in homes and businesses across the world. In this blog, we'll explore the history, features, and benefits of the Bell & Howell slide projector, as well as its eventual decline in popularity.

The Bell & Howell company was founded in 1907 and became well known for their high-quality photographic equipment and motion picture cameras. In the 1950s and 1960s, the company expanded into the consumer market with the introduction of the Bell & Howell Slide Projector.

The slide projector used a 35mm filmstrip, which was a popular format for amateur photographers at the time. The filmstrip was loaded into the projector, and a mechanism would advance the filmstrip one frame at a time, illuminating each slide with a bright light source. The projected image was then displayed on a screen or wall.

One of the key benefits of the Bell & Howell slide projector was its convenience. The compact size and portability of the projector made it easy for people to take their slides on the road and show them to friends and family. Additionally, the projector allowed for the display of high-quality images, which was not possible with traditional slide-mounted slides that were viewed with a hand-held magnifying glass.

Another benefit of the Bell & Howell slide projector was its ease of use. The projector had a simple, user-friendly design that made it easy for people to load and display their slides. Additionally, the projector offered a number of features, such as variable speed control, which allowed for more control over the presentation of slides.

Despite its many benefits, the Bell & Howell slide projector faced competition from other forms of visual media, such as slideshows on home computers and video projections. The advent of these new technologies led to a decline in the popularity of slide projectors, as consumers sought out new and improved ways to display their photos and other visual media. 

Today, slide projectors are largely obsolete, with few companies still producing projectors or slide film. However, the projectors and equipment are still used by some collectors and enthusiasts of vintage technology. In addition, slide projectors have had a lasting impact on the visual media industry, paving the way for the development of other forms of digital visual media and advancing the state of imaging technology.

Written by Geoff Weber

More stories

Remember the Canon ZR60 Video Camcorder for MiniDV Tapes?

The Canon ZR60 video camcorder was a popular device in the early 2000s, used by many to capture home movies. Do you still have memories on those MiniDV tapes?

The Magnavox DV225MG9 VCR: A Magical VHS Player

The Magnavox DV225MG9 VCR is a classic VHS player first introduced in the 1990s. They're still used, but convert the VHS tapes to digital before they go bad.

Select a box to get started.

This is the safest way to ship.
Pack whatever fits... we'll sort it all.
No minimum... pay unit digitizing prices.