RFD - Radical Faerie Digest — a queer reader-written journal since 1974

Drawn up with dense technical jargon and legalese by attorneys Fulwider, Patton, Rieber, Lee, and Utecht, the document describes a complex instrument that marked a milestone in the development of kaleidoscopes.

The document abstract describes the patent as "A telescopic kaleidoscope having a converging lens positioned between the objective lens and the front ends of the mirrors.  The converging lens focuses the objective lens centrally on the plane of the rear ends of the mirrors to provide substantially equal illumination of the kaleidoscope image array.  The array can be projected onto a screen by a projection lens and the kaleidoscope can be used as an attachment for a camera or a projector."

The details become mind-numbing, but contain gems of information.

"This invention relates to kaleidoscopes,  and more particularly, to a new and improved telescopic kaleidoscope which can be used with cameras, projectors and the like.  Telescopic kaleidoscopes  have been used in amusement devices and as sources of entertainment... As amusement devices, telescopic kaleidoscopes have met with great success. When used as a hand-held device to be viewed directly by an observer's eye, present kaleidoscopes seem to be quite acceptable as producing bright and symmetrical image arrays.  Upon closer examination of the array, however, several defects in the array become apparent.

"One such defect is that of unequal brightness of the various segments forming the array. . . While attempts have been made at overcoming this defect, none have proved successful. . . it is apparent that there exists a need for a new and improved telescopic kaleidoscope which is capable of producing a large and sharply focused image array having substantially uniform image intensity throughout the various portions of the array.  The present invention solves this need in a  novel and unique manner."

"The present invention provides a converging lens preferably oriented with its principal axis parallel with the reflecting surfaces of the mirrors, and placed adjacent the objective end of the mirrors. The converging lens forms the image of the objective lens of the telescopic kaleidoscope on the plane defined by the ends of the mirrors remote from the objective end, thereby to control the amount of light directed onto the mirrors."  

For now I'll spare you further extracts from the document and let you peruse it yourself. It's good reading for those who have an affinity for Rubik's Cubes, crossword puzzles and other mind scramblers.  

Perhaps you can make use of these details for RFD.  Surely the faeries can identify with an object created for the pure purpose on enlightened entertainment.
 
A footnote:  The one and only time I had significant interaction with John Burnside occurred a few years ago when he attended a party hosted by my housemates Peridot and Lorna Dune.  He sat in the living room, frail and struggling to see as he eagerly perused David Leddick's "The Male Nude" (Taschen).  When I asked him how he and Harry made a living, he told me of the Teleidoscope, how they had created it and lived off the income it provided.  I didn't take notes then.  I wish I could recall the story verbatim. But others know the path they followed far better than I, and I leave it to them to tell the story.
 
Mark is a writer/journalist, musician, nature lover, healer, dreamer and lover of art and literature. He seeks intentional community, ecological consciousness, environmental responsibility/stewardship, social/spiritual revolution, and a sane, safe world for all.