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View Masters

Published on Apr 04, 2016

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PRESENTATION OUTLINE

Viewmasters

by mark spilman
Photo by Major Clanger

When visiting the library in my home town I could spend hours there escaping the South Texas summer heat.

Photo by slimninja

My grandmother’s best friend was the librarian, and she treated us like we were her nephews. Aunt Lanford worked in the library for as long as I can remember.

She was a tall slender widow with a friendly smile and man-like voice from years of smoking.

In the late 70’s encyclopedias were printed in black and white, television stations went off air at midnight, and the internet was only an idea in someone’s mind.

My access to View Masters and reels opened the world to me. View Masters were heavy metal devices, like binoculars, that had specially made reels which allowed you to see 3D images.

I had special privileges at the library and I could check out as many books as I wanted, but even more important was the fact that I could check out and take home the View Master and reels.

Photo by djwtwo

Leaving the library in my grandmother’s 1969 Chrysler New Yorker, with the hot black pleather seats, and hand crank windows, I wiggled in my seat with anticipation.

Photo by Sicnag

Once home, I spent hours looking at 3D images from around the world, imagining myself visiting the faraway places.

Photo by Ludovico Cera

I felt smart – like I was being plugged into the rest of the world.

Photo by Jake Mates

The clunky picture kaleidoscope had a unique way of making something interesting – like a visiting pastor during the long season of ordinary time (the thirty-three weeks between Pentecost and Advent).

Photo by Lee Cannon

Leaning back on my bed, I started a personal tour of the world as I learned about Egypt, India, and Panama through pictures.

Photo by kairoinfo4u