The Eidophore

"The Eidophor" is a comprehensive technical book that explores one of the most fascinating television projection methods of the 20th century. The Eidophor, whose development began in Switzerland, revolutionized the way television images were presented by offering the possibility to display them in cinema size and in color, long before home devices adopted this technology. The author, Caroline Meyer, sheds light on the history and technical aspects of the Eidophor, from its patenting in 1939 to its discontinuation in the late 1990s. The book analyzes the challenges and the impact of the Eidophor on the media landscape, particularly regarding the interface between cinema and television. It explains why television is typically consumed in a home environment and the role the Eidophor played in various application areas such as sports, science, and art. This detailed study provides valuable insights into the development of audiovisual technologies and their societal impacts.